News

On 6 December Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia Antonio Milososki, who paid an official visit to Lithuania. At the meeting Lithuanian Foreign Minister underlined that Lithuania stands for the European Union’s policy of coherent enlargement and supports Macedonia’s striving to start negotiations on accession to the EU.

“We would like to see Macedonia in the strong and united family of the EU. This would contribute to stability and prosperity of the Balkans. Lithuania is ready to share its European integration experience and cooperate with Macedonia in bilateral technical assistance projects,” Minister  Vaitiekūnas said.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister marked, that Lithuania is ready for negotiations and hopes to sign an agreement with Macedonia on investment protection and promotion. The agreement would open up more opportunities to develop mutually beneficial business relations. Mr Vaitiekūnas handed the project of the agreement to the guest.

The Foreign Minister of Macedonia expressed hope that the agreement may be signed next year, during Lithuanian Foreign Minister’s visit to Macedonia. Minister Milososki also marked that Macedonia seeks to attract foreign investors and reduces the income and profits tax rates.

Lithuanian and Macedonian Foreign Ministers also discussed prospects of NATO enlargement and the results of NATO Summit in Riga.

“I am glad that at the Riga Summit the Alliance voiced strong support to the states of the Western Balkans striving for NATO membership - Croatia, Macedonia and Albania,” the Head of Lithuanian Diplomacy noted and underlined that Lithuania is ready to assist Macedonia on its way to NATO.

The Ministers also discussed possibilities of closer bilateral cooperation, exchanged opinions on the situation in the Western Balkans.

“Our country wants to have friendly relations with Lithuania,” Mr Milososki said in Lithuanian and stressed that the meeting had been very fruitful.

According to Macedonian Foreign Minister, Lithuania’s integration into the EU and NATO is a success story and Macedonia is glad to be able to gain experience from Lithuania.