News

On 7 December, Lithuanian acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Sofia. During the meeting attention was paid to progress dealing with issues related to cargo transit from Russian Kaliningrad region via Lithuania. Speaking about passenger transit Russian Foreign Minister noted that the conception of high-speed trains presented in potentiality study is expensive and unrealistic. Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Russia is planning to appoint its chairman of the Lithuanian-Russian intergovernmental cooperation commission in the nearest time. From Lithuanian side the commission is headed by A. Valionis. Until this appointment it is planned to suggest organizing a meeting of transport work group. S. Lavrov reminded about invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin extended to Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus to visit Moscow on 9 May next year, when 60th anniversary of victory in Second World War will be commemorated. According to A. Valionis Lithuanian President has not yet made any decision on this issue. At the same time Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs recalled S. Lavrov that this date and related events are ambiguous. To Lithuania it indicates not only victory against fascism but also beginning of new occupation. In the capital of Bulgaria on 7 December Antanas Valionis also met with Moldavian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Stratan. During the meeting ministers discussed the situation in Transnistria, Moldavian initiatives on this issue and possible European Union’s contribution. A. Valionis also underlined the importance the EU and Moldova action plan, which is currently under preparation. Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs proposed to organize consultations, where Lithuania would share its experience with Moldova in expanding cooperation with the European Union.