News

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis and Russian Foreign Affairs and Transport Ministers Sergej Lavrov and Igor Levitin who are on a working visit to Lithuania discussed Lithuanian-Russian cooperation in transport sphere, cargo transit through Klaipeda and Kaliningrad, Klaipeda and Kaliningrad ports’ cooperation (2K) project, development of border infrastructure and other topical issues of bilateral cooperation.

The Minister of Finance, acting Minister of Transport and Communications Zigmantas Balčytis also took part in the ministers’ meeting on 26 May in Trakai. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas participated in Russian and Lithuanian delegations’ dinner.

Co-Chairmen of Lithuanian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission Foreign Minister A. Valionis and Transport Minister I. Levitin signed the Agreement of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of Russian Federation on cooperation implementing the 2K project. It was agreed to cooperate in tariff policy and other spheres, aiming to attract more cargo to Klaipeda and Kaliningrad ports and ensure their development.

Lithuanian and Russian delegations went by train from Trakai to Kybartai where they examined the infrastructure of the border post and watched the procedures of veterinary inspection and other cargo transportation procedures.

Lithuanian and Russian foreign ministers announced common Statement confirming the states’ striving to develop bilateral good neighbourhood cooperation according to Lithuanian-Russian Treaty of 29 July 1991 and the Statement of the President of the Republic of Lithuanian and the President of Russian Federation of 30 March 2001.

Ministers’ Statement indicates that the passenger transit mechanism functions effectively, and after Lithuania’s accession to the European Union the amount of cargo transit between Kaliningrad region and the rest of the Russian Federation constantly grows.