On 3 May, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met State Undersecretary of the Italian MFA Senator Roberto Antonione in Vilnius. The officials discussed Lithuania's integration into the EU and NATO.
Senator Roberto Antonione expressed Italy's support for Lithuania's efforts of integrating into the EU. "The fact that Lithuania has closed 26 negotiating chapters makes a great impression," he said.
Speaking about Lithuania's integration into NATO, the Italian State Undersecretary noted that Italy expects the Prague Summit to be successful. "We hope that we will be able to rejoice together over the Prague Summit results. Although, there are still some months left for work," indicated Roberto Antonione and said that Italy supported Lithuania's NATO membership.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister outlined Lithuania's relations with the neighbouring countries. "Lithuania considers its geographical position as a great possibility," the Minister stated.
Antanas Valionis also indicated the outstanding issue of Villa Lituania, Lithunia's pre-war embassy in Rome, which was lost after the USSR annexed Lithuania in 1940. Quoting French President Chirac the Minister pointed out that "it is like a pebble in a shoe, which it is high time to shake out," describing a similar issue, which was settled between Lithuania and France. The State Undersecretary noted that the Italian government would make efforts to constructively resolve this issue.