News

On 21 June in Navahrudak two-day long consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and Belarus started.

During the consultations important issues of bilateral relations, perspectives of economic cooperation, upcoming changes in the order of the issuance of visas after Lithuania joins the Schengen area, transit though the territory of both countries, environmental protection issues and other questions are raised.

Lithuanian delegation is headed by Undersecretary of Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Laimonas Talat‑Kelpša and the delegation of Belarus is led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Valery Voronetsky.

During the consultations Undersecretary of the Ministry L.Talat-Kelpša stressed the development of economic cooperation and pragmatical position of the countries towards solving issues of bilateral cooperation.

At the meeting a common opinion was expressed that both Lithuania and Belarus were interested in developing direct people-to-people contacts between the citizens of Lithuania and Belarus, border infrastructure and communications. It was agreed that it was necessary to make use of the forthcoming 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, developing cultural exchange and cooperation in the field of historical heritage.

During the meeting Undersecretary of the Ministry L.Talat-Kelpša reminded about the cases, when the property of Lithuanian citizens was confiscated, and indicated that such actions of Belarusian officials did not contribute to mutual confidence. Representative of Lithuania made concrete suggestions as to how this could be avoided in the future.

During the meeting it was also stressed that Lithuania was prepared to share its experience of European integration, if Belarus were interested in such experience.

Seeking to solve practical issues of bilateral cooperation effectively, the officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and Belarus hold annual consultations. In 2006 such consultations were held in Palanga.