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On 20 March in Berlin, the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius and the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier discussed events in Ukraine and stressed the importance of a unified, clear and strong response of the international community and, first of all, the European Union.

“The aggression of the Russian Federation poses a threat to the entire post-war system. The situation in Ukraine continues to be critical. We need to impose targeted sanctions against concrete Russian officials who have determined these decisions,” L.Linkevičius said.

The Ministers agreed that it was necessary to ensure the presence of international observers in Ukraine in order to prevent any further unrest. According to the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, the EU now aims to agree on sending an OSCE mission. However, if it fails, the EU could send its own mission.

L.Linkevičius thanked his German counterpart for the country’s support for Lithuania’s aim to introduce the euro in 2015 and to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

In Berlin, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister also met with the Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to the Federal Chancellor Christoph Heusgen, the Chairman of the Bundestag’s Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs Norbert Röttgen and the Coordinator for Intersocietal Cooperation with Russia, Central Asia and the Eastern Partnership Countries of the Federal Foreign Office Gernot Erler.

During the meetings in Germany, the officials reached a broad agreement on the assessment of events in Ukraine and the need of a strict EU to reaction.

The head of the Lithuanian diplomacy also took part in a discussion about the changing borders of Europe in Crimea. The discussion was organised by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Photo: EPA-ELTA