News

On 6 December, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis held a meeting with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov and discussed with him the significance of the OSCE Ministerial Council session in Vilnius for the progress in the settlement of the protracted conflicts, protection of journalists and intensifying energy security dialogue.

A.Ažubalis reminded the importance of the issue of common understanding of history on the bilateral agenda, emphasized the necessity of the dialogue on historical justice and a wish to see the results of the joint commission of historians more quickly, as well as the implementation of the idea of the ​​trust forum.

The meeting discussed topical issues on the OSCE agenda: negotiations on the settlement of the frozen conflicts, cooperation of the OSCE participating states on the fight against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs, the safety of journalists, the establishment of the OSCE Energy Security Working Group and the strengthening of the organization.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister voiced surprise that head of the Russian diplomacy gave attention to an organization, which was established in Lithuania just a few days ago, and that some of its ungrounded statements were quoted. At the same time, A.Ažubalis invited all the OSCE participating states, including Russia, to adequately assess crimes committed by all the totalitarian regimes in Europe.

The Minister stressed Lithuania’s special concern – the country has not yet received any answers to the most important and legitimate questions regarding the ongoing construction of the nuclear power plant in the Kaliningrad region – and gave his Russian counterpart a list of questions that remained unanswered in an appropriate way and on an appropriate scope.

S.Lavrov was assured that Lithuania’s determination to de-monopolize the energy sector remained firm and unchanging. Lithuania has undertaken to implement the provisions of the European Union’s 3rd Energy Package, which aims to separate production and supply from gas transmission networks.

According to A.Ažubalis, this aim shall contribute to the welfare of every Lithuanian citizen, because it shall ensure fair gas prices as both sides of the transaction have never benefited from the monopoly.