On 21 February in Vilnius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius held a meeting with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata. The Foreign Ministers signed an intergovernmental agreement on the compensation for Villa Lituania, the inter-war Lithuanian legation building in Rome.

In accordance with the provisions of the agreement that has been signed, Lithuania received the right to use part of the historical Palazzo Blumenstihl for a period of 99 years with a possibility of extending the lease. This prestigious building is located in the very heart of Rome.

 Linkevičius thanked Terzi di Sant’Agata for his contribution to the resolution of this issue.

The head of the Lithuanian diplomacy conferred an award of honour of Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Lithuanian Diplomacy Star - on the Italian Foreign Minister.

During the meeting, Linkevičius acquainted the Italian Foreign Minister with Lithuania’s preparations for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Terzi di Sant’Agata promised his active support for Lithuania’s Presidency.

The Foreign Ministers also discussed bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and Italy, welcomed the rapidly growing volumes of trade between the two countries and stressed the importance of cooperation within international organisations. Terzi di Sant’Agata expressed his support for Lithuania’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations the Security Council in 2014-2015.

The meeting also discussed the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. The Ministers shared their insights into the Eastern Neighbourhood Policy, and the situation in North Africa and the Middle East.