At the traditional “transatlantic dinner” on 27 February in Rome, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius stressed that Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union would aim at strengthening the transatlantic dialogue.

“We will cooperate with the EU, NATO and other European countries with common values. These countries are natural partners in security and defence. Lithuania will also aim at stimulating solidarity during the Eastern Partnership Summit, which will be held this November in Vilnius,” Linkevičius said.

The Foreign Ministers of the EU member states, NATO, Macedonia and Switzerland, the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherin Ashton, and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen gathered for the traditional “transatlantic dinner” in the capital of Italy.  The conversation focused on situations in Afghanistan, Syria, the Middle East peace process, the fight against terrorism and non-proliferation policy.

The Minister also participated in the meeting of the three Foreign Ministers of the Baltic States with the U.S. Secretary of State Kerry.