News

On 20 August, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas received new Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Lithuania Hans Peter Annen and discussed with him bilateral political, economical and cultural relations. ‘I am glad that good relations between our countries are steadily becoming stronger in various areas, as we are closely cooperating in the European Union, NATO and other international organisations. Germany is one of the main trade partners of Lithuania. New initiatives of cooperation in the area of culture, such as the events of the German-Baltic Culture Year ‘Essentia Baltica 2008’, contribute greatly to the cultural exchange between the two countries,’ indicated Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Minister P.Vaitiekūnas stressed that the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Lithuania is anticipated next week. This visit will be an important step in strengthening the relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, the situation in Georgia and perspectives of the EU-Russia relations were discussed. Minister P.Vaitiekūnas remarked that a peaceful and long-term conflict resolution in Georgia could only be based on the principles of Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and its territorial integrity. Russia’s military actions are arousing concern. According to the Minister, now it is important to secure that the principles of the signed cease-fire agreement would be respected and that the Russian troops would be pulled out of Georgia immediately.

The new German Ambassador presented credentials to President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus on 30 July 2008. Before his assignment to Lithuania, Ambassador H.P.Annen was German Ambassador to Albania.