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On June 30, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius participated in the 23rd session of the Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and the European Union (EU), which was held in Manama, capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Ministers reviewed the relationship between the GCC and the EU, focusing on the importance to further strengthen these ties.

When presenting the priorities for the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council, the Foreign Minister stressed that Lithuania would not limit itself to economic issues, but would actively support efforts of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton that address foreign policy and security challenges by closely cooperating with partners.

“The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) is an important partner of the EU, so Lithuania will seek to intensify dialogue and cooperation with GCC countries on matters of concern to both sides. We hope that the second joint work programme will be prepared by the end of 2013,” said the Minister.

The Ministers of the Gulf States unanimously congratulated Lithuania on taking over the Presidency of the EU Council.

The countries exchanged opinions on the situation in the region. Significant attention was given to the crisis in Syria. The EU announced additional funding of € 400 million euros in form of a comprehensive assistance package, with humanitarian and non-humanitarian support for Syria and neighbouring countries, in particular Jordan and Lebanon. The countries agreed that the main way to put an end to the Syrian crisis was to reach a political solution.

The Ministers also discussed the situation after Iran’s presidential elections, security concerns in Iraq and next steps in Yemen’s transition.

The meeting was co-chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Ashton and the Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The 23rd GCC-EU Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting issued a joint statement.

In Manama, the Minister also held meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. During the meetings, the Ministers continued the dialogue on visa facilitation for Lithuanian citizens travelling to the Gulf States. Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, informed that he expected to soon announce an expanded list of countries whose nationals are subject to airport visa requirements. The list of countries will also include Lithuania. The dialogue on this issue will be continued with other Gulf States.

The meetings also discussed bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and cultural fields, reviewed the bilateral agreement preparation. The Ministers also agreed to prepare new agreements.

The Foreign Minister Linkevičius and the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash signed a bilateral agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.

At the meeting with Bahrain’s Industry and Commerce Minister Hassan Fakhro, Linkevičius discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral trade and investment relations.