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Late on the evening of 9 November, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis met with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian during the visit to Paris.

The meeting discussed bilateral relations, the escalation of an illegal migration crisis by the Belarusian regime and the European Union's possible response, relations with China and Russia, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, the situation in the Sahel, and other important items on the international agenda.

“Recent developments on the border with Belarus show that the situation is unpredictable and very dangerous. To avoid further escalation, the EU must take concerted and determined action against the Belarusian regime, including the imposition of additional sanctions also on airports. This is not just an attack on Lithuania, Poland or Latvia. This is an attack on the EU and the entire community of democracies," said the head of Lithuania's diplomacy. Landsbergis stressed that, in response to such hybrid attacks, the EU had to adapt its migration policy accordingly. This issue could be among the priorities of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Landsbergis thanked France for its contribution to the strengthening of security of Lithuania and the entire region. “We are interested in closer cooperation with France in the fields of defence and security. In addition, we intend to contribute to the French-led Takuba task force in Mali,” said Lithuania's Foreign Minister.

As regards relations with China, Landsbergis stressed the need for EU solidarity and to speak with one voice. “The creation of a regular 27+ 1 format will help us to cooperate more effectively with China and to defend our common interests,” said the head of Lithuania's diplomacy.

The Foreign Ministers discussed the importance of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and France’s plans in this area during its Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Landsbergis also welcomed the intensifying bilateral relations. Recently, Lithuania's Minister of Economy and Innovation and the Minister of National Defence visited Paris. The Speaker of the Seimas and the Minister of Culture will also visit France in the near future.

Today, Landsbergis will give a speech during the 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference and will meet with the French Minister of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune.

Photos: Ludo Segers Photography