News

On 20 February, during the meeting of the chairmen of the Lithuanian-Russian intergovernmental commission i.e. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin held in Trakai, topical issues of Lithuanian- Russian economic, energy, social and cultural cooperation, as well as cooperation in the fields of environment protection and transport were discussed. During the meeting special attention was paid to the cooperation between Klaipeda and Kaliningrad ports, demarcation of the Lithuanian-Russian state border, modernization of the border infrastructure, social and economic development of Kaliningrad region, old humanitarian and social issues. The chairmen of the intergovernmental commission agreed that it is expedient to renew discussions on the 2K project aiming at promotion of cooperation of Kaliningrad and Klaipeda ports and increasing their competitiveness comparing with other ports of the region. It was also agreed that Lithuanian and Russian experts meeting in the end if this month will talk over issues related to railway tariffs and submit proposals to the chairmen of the intergovernmental commission until the middle of April. Both parties of the meeting showed interest in tourist and container trains projects. It was also underlined that Lithuania is ready for and encourages Russia to start immediately the border demarcation operations. In the meeting A. Valionis urged Russian representatives to return to social and humanitarian issues, settlement of which Russia has been delaying till now. Such issues as return of deposits of Lithuanian residents in former Lithuanian office of “Vneshekonombank”, signing Lithuanian-Russian agreement on cooperation in pensions sphere and intergovernmental agreement on cemeteries of military and civilian victims of war and repressions were emphasised. Discussing issues related to environment protection Lithuanian Foreign Minister underlined that striving with joint forces to preserve the Curonian Spit inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List it is necessary to sign an agreement on pollution prevention and damages reparation in the nearest time. It is planned to hold the fourth meeting of the Lithuanian-Russian intergovernmental commission in Lithuania in the autumn. It is also expedient to organize a forum for Russian and Lithuanian businessmen to coincide with it.