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Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister visits the United Kingdom

On June 27, the Lithuanian delegation led by the Deputy Foreign Minister Giedrius Čekuolis completed the working visit to the United Kingdom. During the political and security consultations the representatives of the UK have positively evaluated Lithuania's preparedness for NATO membership, the development of its armed forces and the contribution of Lithuania into the Euro-Atlantic security. According to the Deputy Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Emyr Jones Parry, after the US President George W. Bush's visit to Europe positive changes have occurred among the NATO members concerning the NATO enlargement after Prague Summit in 2002. High official of the UK has confirmed that the NATO enlargement would take place in spite of geographic or historic factors. Deputy Secretary Parry has also encouraged Lithuania to continue the active implementation of the NATO membership requirements. The United Kingdom has also confirmed its commitment to provide consistent assistance for the development of the Lithuanian armed forces. During the visit in the UK the Lithuanian delegation has also met with the Deputy Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Stephen Wright, Under-Secretary of State for Defence Dr Lewis Moonie, Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Political Committee of NATO Parliamentary Assembly Peter Viggers, Member of Parliament Donald Anderson, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Policy Roger Liddle and other high officials. During the meetings Lithuanian and British officials discussed the perspectives of Lithuania to become a NATO member, possibilities of the official visit of the President of Lithuania to the UK, the European security and defence policy and the initiative of the US on the missile defence. The Lithuanian delegation has also participated in the roundtable discussions, which were held in the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy's Conflicts Research Centre and the Royal Institute of Defence Studies.