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On 17-18 January in Trakai, an informal meeting of prominent politicians, political scientists, diplomats and analysts from Europe and the USA was organized on the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Petras Vaitiekūnas.

More than 20 famous strategists and analysts from Europe and North America took the invitation of Minister P.Vaitiekūnas. Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Poland and Sweden, Czech Deputy Prime Minister, also analysts from the United Kingdom, Italy, USA, France, Romania, Germany, and European Union institutions are taking part in the meeting.

The purpose of this gathering is to consolidate the debates on the systemic approach and united policy of NATO and the EU, the European countries and the United States of America in the Euro-Atlantic strategic community on the most important issues of international relations.

During the informal meeting, participants discussed the EU and NATO strategies, development of Euro-Atlantic political and social values and internal transformation, relations with Russia, energy security, and the resolution of the so-called ‘frozen conflicts’.

Participants of the discussion considered which NATO and the EU, European and US political strategies are required in the changing international surroundings.  

‘I hope that the debates, which were opened in Trakai, will continue and such informal meetings will be held in various EU and NATO countries. The discussions of NATO and the EU strategists will contribute to drawing up a more broader and more exhaustive Euro-Atlantic political agenda and nurturing ideas for the renovation and updating of the strategies of those institutions,’ said the head of Lithuanian diplomacy.

According to the Minister, the fact itself that the meeting was held proves that Lithuania is an active EU and NATO member state, which is concerned about their future. Particularly with those institutions our country associates security, stability and welfare in Europe, and beyond.

‘We are glad that so many high-ranking thinkers accepted our invitation. This, first of all, proves that Lithuania is acknowledged and valued in Europe and America as a reliable initiator and organizer of such events. On the other hand, it shows that the Euro-Atlantic community needs such discussions,’ said Minister P.Vaitiekūnas.

President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus is also taking part in the discussion in Trakai.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Charter of Partnership Among the United States and the Baltic States, on 17 January the participants of the event, who had contributed a lot to the preparation and implementation of the Charter, were awarded the Star of Lithuania’s Millennium badges by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among the awarded there were: Vice President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs of the USA Joseph Wood, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Ambassador Daniel Fried, political scientists and leaders of Non-Governmental Organizations of the USA Ronald Asmus, Bruce Jackson, Stephen Larrabee and Robert Nurick.

Badges for strengthening strategic partnership between Lithuania and Poland were also presented to Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski and the Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of Poland in the Chancellery of the President Mariusz Handzlik. The award is also presented to the deputy international editor at The Economist, published in the United Kingdom, Edward Lucas for strengthening strategic transatlantic partnership.

The participants of the informal discussion were also received by the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas.