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At the meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers, Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Oskaras Jusys, pointed out the issues of special importance to Lithuania during Finland’s Presidency of the EU.

The meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC), held in Brussels on 17 July, was the first meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers after Finland started its six-month Presidency of the EU on 1 July. A public debate was held on the new EU Presidency priorities, an issue that had also been discussed before the GAERC, during the meeting of the Baltic and Nordic Foreign Ministers.

During the discussion of the priorities of the EU Presidency, Lithuanian Foreign Ministry Undersecretary pointed out that, with regard to the European energy policy, particular attention should be paid to strategic aspects of external energy policy and energy security, and especially a more transparent dialogue on energy issues between the EU and Russia.

“It is crucial to maintain dialogue on energy issues not only with Russia but also with other suppliers and transit countries. Energy cooperation with countries of the Caspian Sea region, Central Asia, North Africa and Ukraine would provide alternative routes of supply and transit, as well as reduce the energy dependency of the EU on a single supplier,” Mr Jusys said.

According to the Undersecretary, with regard to justice and home affairs, the enlargement of the Schengen space in 2007 should become a strategic goal of the entire EU, which is why Lithuania appeals to Finland as the President of the EU to give particular consideration to the issue.

The meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers also considered possibilities of mediating in resolving the conflict in the Middle East; a discussion was also held on the process  of negotiations on the status of Kosovo.

In Brussels, Mr Jusys met with Deputy Secretary of State of Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Famiano Crucianelli. The main issue discussed at the meeting was the building of the Lithuanian pre-war diplomatic mission in Italy.

“This is the last unresolved problem, which aggravates the mutual relations between Lithuania and Italy,” said Mr Jusys to his Italian counterpart, and urged Italy to take definite steps in solving the issue of the building of the Lithuanian diplomatic mission. Furthermore, the Lithuanian Undersecretary informed Mr Crucianelli of the publicity the issue has aroused among Lithuanian politicians and the media.

Mr Famiano Crucianelli pledged to press for a solution to the problem on all levels. He also pointed out the fact that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy has instructed the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance to look into the issue and propose possible solutions.