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On June 15-17, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis paid an official visit to Nicosia, where he met with the highest ranking officials of Cyprus to discuss readiness of both countries to hold the Presidency of the EU Council, and EU neighbourhood policy issues.

At the meeting with President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, the Minister discussed bilateral relations. The officials exchanged opinions on the objectives of the EU neighbourhood policy, Arab Spring processes, their impact on the EU foreign policy and the necessity to cooperate closer with other EU member states in shaping, coordinating and implementing the asylum policy, support for refugees and other important issues.

“The people of Cyprus live close to the border with southern EU neighbours, while Lithuania has borders with its eastern neighbours. We are responsible not only for the security of these borders. We must closely cooperate to ensure security and promote democratic reforms and economic prosperity in the EU neighbourhood,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister stressed.

During the conversation with President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus Yiannakis Omirou, Ažubalis emphasized good and active relations of Cypriot and Lithuanian parliamentarians. There is a successful Group for Interparliamentary Relations with Lithuania in the parliament of Cyprus and a similar group in the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania.

Ažubalis and Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis discussed the countries’ upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Lithuania will hold the Presidency in the second half of 2013, while Cyprus is to take over already next month. Therefore, the country’s accumulated experience will be particularly important to Lithuania.

The participants of the meeting also reviewed bilateral cooperation, issues on the EU agenda, including the EU enlargement and neighbourhood policy, the situation in the southern neighbourhood countries, nuclear safety and other issues related to energy security.

“At the time when many the EU member states are facing severe financial consequences for the Eurozone economy, we must be very united. Only together we can achieve our common goals,” Ažubalis noted.

This is the first official visit of Lithuanian Foreign Minister to Cyprus after Lithuania has regained its independence. Diplomatic relations of the countries were established on 3 December 1992.