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In Kyiv, the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius first met with Ukraine’s President-elect P.Poroshenko, who assured the Minister of readiness to sign a free trade agreement with the European Union as soon as possible and to implement the reforms which were necessary for the implementation of the Association Agreement and a visa-free regime with the EU.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister congratulated P.Poroshenko on his convincing victory in the presidential election, which, despite the tense security situation in the country, went smoothly and in accordance with international norms as confirmed by the numerous OSCE’s Election Observation Mission. “Active participation and citizen engagement as well as their clear position send a very strong signal with regard to the country’s firm choice to take the path towards unity, stability and European integration,” the Minister stressed.

P.Poroshenko thanked Lithuania for its continuous and active support of Ukraine in the context of Russia’s open military aggression in Crimea and its efforts to destabilize the country by supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine. The President stressed that the security situation in the eastern regions of Ukraine remained tense; and, therefore, it was necessary to maintain the international community’s pressure on forces supporting aggression and separatism.

During the meeting, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister made a symbolic gift – a pair of mittens similar to those distributed on the Maidan this winter to Ukrainians who had protested for many long months and wished for European future. “This was Lithuania’s campaign of solidarity with Ukraine, which aimed at warming up hands and hearts of the Ukrainian people during their peaceful struggle against the lawlessness of the Government,” the Lithuanian Foreign Minister said when presenting the gift.