News

On 18-19 April during consultations between Lithuania and China in Beijing Political Director of Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eitvydas Bajarūnas discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation, the European Union-China relations, and developments in the Eurasian region.

E.Bajarunas met with Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Fu Ying, officials from Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Director of European Affairs Department Li Ruiyu, Director of Asian Affairs Department Luo Zhaohui, Deputy Director of International Organizations and Conferences Department Pang Sen, Deputy Director of Policy Planning Department Cai Run.

Lithuanian and Chinese diplomats discussed the developments in North Africa, Afghanistan, the situation in Central Asia and the Korean peninsula, important issues of the UN and other international organizations.
Considerable attention was paid to bilateral Lithuanian-Chinese cooperation, in particular the development of economic relations, joint further steps to balance the trade flows with China were discussed.

In 2010 the trade turnover between Lithuania and China amounted to 1,58 billion Litas. (about 0,46 billion EUR). The trade balance was negative and amounted to 1,39 billion Litas. (about 0,4 billion EUR).

Political Director E. Bajarunas acquainted the Chinese Foreign Ministry officials with the agenda of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which is chaired by Lithuania in 2011. The participants of meetings also discussed preparations for the second meeting of Transport Ministers of Asia and Europe Meeting (ASEM) organized by China and Lithuania, which is to be held this October in China.

The first Meeting of ASEM Ministers of Transport took place on 19-20 October, 2009 in Vilnius at the initiative of Lithuania. It was attended by 35 ASEM countries. ASEM is the process of dialogue, bringing together all EU states and 20 countries in Asia and Oceania. At the initiative of participating countries specific projects of cooperation between Europe and Asia in political, economic and sociocultural fields are implemented.

E.Bajarunas also discussed relations between the EU and China with the ambassadors of the EU states residing in Beijing.

At the meeting with Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Muratbek Imanaliev possible joint projects of the OSCE and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization were considered.

Consultations of Political Director of Lithuanian Foreign Ministry in Beijing were held in preparation for the visit by Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis to China, the visit is scheduled for late May.