LITHUANIA AND FRANCE DEVELOP A STRATEGIC DIALOGUE
On 9 February in Paris, during his working visit to France, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas met with French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Bernard Kouchner. The Ministers agreed to develop a strategic dialogue between Lithuania and France, and discussed a possibility to draft a bilateral declaration of strategic partnership, which would be signed during the visit of Lithuanian or French head of state or government’.
During the meeting it was agreed that in the nearest future the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs will team up French experts, who will visit Lithuania in February and will meet with the heads and experts from the Energy Ministry that is being newly established. Experts from both countries will discuss the projects, aimed at strengthening Lithuania’s energy security: linking Lithuania’s energy system to the EU Union for the Co-ordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE), building the energy link between Sweden and the Baltic States and preparation works of constructing the new nuclear power plant.
The Ministers discussed issues of security policy and the future NATO Summit in France and Germany on 3-4 April. Minister V.Ušackas welcomed France’s intention to rejoin NATO military structures, which would strengthen transatlantic relations, as well as the Alliance’s military capacities.
On the issue of the Europe’s Eastern Neighbourhood policy, the Ministers agreed that it was necessary to continue supporting implementation of Eurointegrational reforms in Georgia and Ukraine. The Ministers discussed a possibility to invite Belarus to participate in the EU Eastern Partnership initiative.
While discussing the EU relations with Russia, the Lithuanian and French Foreign Ministers indicated that it was important to develop efficient and constructive relations with Russia, to stimulate respect for international obligations and territorial integrity of neighbouring states.
Minister B.Kouchner accepted the invitation of the head of Lithuanian diplomacy to visit Lithuania.
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