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On 29 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius held a meeting with the Danish Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen, who is currently visiting Vilnius. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister said that the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council would have to address difficult issues on the future of Europe, however, Lithuania backed by Denmark and other like-minded countries would seek solid results which would help to create a credible, growing and open Europe.

“The intensity of bilateral relations between Lithuania and Denmark is perfectly illustrated by the trade volume between the two countries that amounted to almost 3 billion litas last year and, compared to 2011, grew by almost 9 per cent. We can identify more new areas for cooperation between Lithuania and Denmark, such as: scientific research, innovation, and design. I believe that our countries will enjoy even more intensive business ties after the Baltic Business Forum 2013, which is to be held in October in Vilnius and expected to be attended also by Crown Prince Frederik, the heir to the Danish throne. Moreover, the experiences gained during the Danish EU Presidency term are immensely valuable to Lithuania,” Linkevičius said.

The meeting discussed European agenda, the bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and Denmark, trade issues, and the forthcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius.

Wammen hailed the country’s readiness to hold the Presidency of the EU Council and wished Lithuania every success in carrying out this task.

“We have every confidence in your ability to succeed and we promise our support during the entire term of the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council,” Wammen said.

While in Lithuania, the Danish Minister for European Affairs also met with the Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the Seimas (Parliament) Gediminas Kirkilas, Deputy Chairs, and the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Vytautas Leškevičius.

During the visit, Wammen delivered a lecture “The Copenhagen Criteria and Europe’s Way Ahead” at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University, visited the Danish company Electronic House and spoke with Deivydas Praspaliauskas, the Head Chef at the Lauro Lapas Restaurant, who had studied Culinary Arts in Denmark.