News

On May 21, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis paid a working visit to Helsinki where he met the Finnish President Tarja Halonen and the Foreign Minister Erkki Sakari Tuomioja. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister and the Finnish President talked about the way the EU Northern Dimension initiative is being put into practice and relations with Russian Federation and its Kaliningrad region. President Halonen told Lithuanian Foreign Minister that Finland favours membership for the Baltic States in the European Union and congratulated Lithuanian accomplishments in negotiations for membership. Minister Valionis discussed the pace of Lithuanian EU integration, accomplishments in negotiations and the future of the EU with the Finnish Foreign Minister. They shared thoughts on relations with Russian Federation and the Kaliningrad region, talked about the latest visits and meetings with Russian politicians. Lithuanian Foreign Minister told Minister Tuomioja that consular consultations had begun on the introduction of visa regulations for residents of the Kaliningrad region. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Valionis also requested his colleague to bring up the possibility for Lithuania to attend regular meetings by the Nordic countries and Japan, held once every two years. Minister Valionis also made a lecture on Lithuania's view towards the future of Europe in the 'Paasikivi' society, which unites former and present influential politicians of Finland.