News

From 13 to 22 February, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius is paying a working visit to New York, the United States, where he will chair the United Nations Security Council’s open debate and discuss the UN-EU cooperation, and the strengthening of international peace and stability.

On 19 February, L.Linkevičius will chair the UN Security Council’s open debate on the strengthening of the application of the principle of the rule of law to the activities of the UN missions. The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is invited to deliver the key speech. At the debates, L.Linkevičius will present Lithuania’s position on the importance of the rule of law in conflict prevention. The rule of law and protection of civilians in armed conflict are among key priorities for Lithuania’s Chairmanship of the UN Security Council.

On 14 February, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister will chair discussions on the strengthening of the UN-EU cooperation and interaction. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton will also deliver a speech.

During the visit to New York, L.Linkevičius will give a lunch for members of the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, which will focus on key issues related to the global agenda.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister will also meet with the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos, and the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous. The meetings will discuss the situation in Syria, in particular its humanitarian aspects, the situation in the Central African Republic and participation in the UN peacekeeping operations.

During the visit to New York, L.Linkevičius will also visit the prestigious Columbia University and its East Central European Centre. He will give a lecture on Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU Council, which has recently ended, its key priority – the Eastern Partnership – and prospects for this initiative after the Vilnius Summit.

Lithuania became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on 1 January 2014 for a two-year term. In February, Lithuania chairs the Security Council.