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JANUARY January 7. Lithuanian MFA Undersecretary Šarūnas Adomavičius participated in the extraordinary meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels to discuss consequences of the tsunami in Southeast Asia. Lithuania contributed to the efforts of the international community to eliminate the consequences of the catastrophe. On 5 January during the meeting of the Lithuanian Government it was decided to contribute 350 thousand litas to devastated regions of Southeast Asia. The contribution was transferred to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Lithuanian society actively contributed to nations affected by the disaster. January 10. Annual meeting of Lithuanians residing in Tokyo took place in the Lithuanian Embassy in Tokyo. The Lithuanian community, uniting 45 members, was officially established in Tokyo. January 11. Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament Artūras Paulauskas participated in the discussions of the European Parliament concerning the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and met with President of the European Parliament Josep Borrell, EU Commissioner and Vice President of the European Commission Margot Wallström, and EU Commissioner Dalia Grybauskaitė. January 11-12. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Konstantyn Hryshchenko in Palanga. The Ministers paid considerable attention to the development of the EU-Ukraine relations and adoption of the EU-Ukraine Action Plan. They stressed the necessity to start implementing the Action Plan as soon as possible. Lithuanian Minister assured Ukrainian Foreign Minister that Lithuania actively participates in shaping the EU policy on Ukraine. The Foreign Ministers also stressed strengthening of practical cooperation between Ukraine and NATO. Ukrainian Foreign Minister underlined that Ukraine’s priority is integration to the EU and NATO while preserving good relations with Russia. January 13-14. Chairman of the Polish Sejm Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz paid a visit to Lithuania and met with President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas. The issues of political situation in Poland and Lithuania, the EU relations with Russia and Ukraine, establishment of the parliamentary assembly of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine were discussed during the meetings.   January 13-15. Informal meeting of the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Foreign Ministers took place in Palanga. During the meeting Antanas Valionis, Artis Pabriks and Kristina Ojuland discussed the policy of the three Baltic States in respect to their eastern neighbours. January 20. On the initiative of the Institute of History of Lithuania and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a round table discussion “Prospects of development of Lithuanian and German cooperation in the context of the EU and NATO membership” was organised in Vilnius. Lithuanian and German science, culture, business and political representatives discussed the prospects of the Lithuanian-German cooperation. January 21. The second meeting of the working group to formulate and coordinate proposals relating to transit to and from Kaliningrad Region via Lithuania, chaired by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis, took place in Vilnius. The Foreign Minister underlined that benevolent cooperation between the corresponding Lithuanian and Russian departments helped to resolve many technical issues. During the meeting such issues as development of container transportation, more extensive exploitation of Pagėgiai railway post, veterinary grouping of cargo, reconstruction of railcars, the elimination of forced train demurrage at Kybartai railway station, railway tariff issues and prospects of the “2K” (Kaliningrad-Klaipėda) project were discussed. January 21. Lithuanian Ambassador to UNESCO Ina Marčiulionytė handed over ratification deeds of the Convention of Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection to the organisation’s General Director Koichiro Matsuura. January 23. Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament Artūras Paulauskas participated in the inauguration ceremony of President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko. January 24. Lithuanian MFA Undersecretary Albinas Januška and State Secretary of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jan Truszczynski, national co-ordinators of the Lithuanian-Polish intergovernmental cooperation, met in Warsaw. During the meeting bilateral issues and the cooperation of Lithuania and Poland in respect to the eastern neighbours of the European Union were discussed. January 25. Lithuanian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zenonas Petrauskas met with Tunisian MFA State Secretary Mohamed Hatem Ben Salem who paid a working visit to the Baltic States. Tunisian MFA State Secretary also met with Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Audronis Ažubalis. January 26. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Albanian Defence Minister Pandel Majko in Vilnius. January 27-28. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas attended the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschvitz-Birkenau camp in Osvencim in Poland. Algirdas Brazauskas met with Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka. January 31. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Polish, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Austrian and Slovenian counterparts before the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Brussels. During the working lunch organized on Polish initiative the Ministers discussed the EU financial perspective and the EU cooperation with Ukraine. The aim of the working lunch was to coordinate positions of the Central European countries before the EU Foreign Ministers meeting. On 30 January Antanas Valionis took part in the Northern and Baltic States Foreign Ministers dinner where preparation for the GAERC meeting was discussed. January 31. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in NATO Headquarters in Brussels. NATO Secretary General appreciated Lithuania’s decision to lead one of the newly-established Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Ghor province of Afghanistan. The Minister and NATO Secretary General discussed the preparations for the informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers on 21-22 April, 2005 in Vilnius. FEBRUARY February 1. Lithuania established diplomatic relations with Belize. February 2. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and Polish Foreign Minister Adam Daniel Rotfeld met in Vilnius. February 3-4. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a visit to Ireland and met with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern, parliamentary committees for Foreign and European affairs. February 7. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili in Vilnius. The Ministers discussed Georgia’s relations with the EU and NATO. February 8-10. The U.S. and German George C. Marshall Centre, Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Institute of International Relations and Political Science (IIRPS) of Vilnius University organized a conference "The Baltic Region and the South Caucasus: Strategies for Cooperation and Patterns of Reform". The tree days conference in IIRPS was attended by high-ranking politicians, parliamentarians, diplomats, military officers from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and their counterparts from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, other countries and international organizations. February 9. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili in Vilnius. The issues of the EU-Georgian and NATO-Georgian relations were discussed.     February 9. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in Informal NATO Ministerial meeting in Brussels to discuss preparations for the NATO Summit meeting. February 10. French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier paid a visit to Lithuania and met with President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, Chairman of the Parliament Artūras Paulauskas, Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis, and Members of the parliamentary committees on Foreign and European affairs. The discussions were focused on the Lithuanian-French cooperation within the EU, the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Financial Perspective of the EU, the Lisbon Strategy, the prospects of ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe in the EU member states, and other relevant issues. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus awarded the Grand Cross of Commander of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas to the guest for merits to the Republic of Lithuania and assistance to Lithuania in its integration into transatlantic and European structures. February 11-13. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the International Conference on Security Policy “Peace through Dialogue” in Munich. The Minister met with US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld and Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton. February 15. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a working visit to Riga. During the visit Antanas Valionis and Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks signed Lithuanian and Latvian governmental agreement on the repayment of a debt to Latvia for maintenance of Lithuanian embassy in Washington. According to the agreement Lithuania commits to pay 1.5 million US dollars debt to Latvia. The debt was accumulated in 1981-1991 due to financing of activities of the Lithuanian embassy in Washington. In 1980 when Lithuanian gold reserve kept in the US ran out, Charge d’affaires of Latvian Republic in the US agreed to grant Lithuania an interest-free loan. February 18. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with European Commissioner for Regional Policy Danuta Hübner in Vilnius and discussed the process of negotiations on the EU financial perspective 2007-2013, and the review of the Lisbon strategy. The Minister and the European Commissioner also touched upon infrastructure priorities in the Baltic Sea region, administration of the EU structural funds in Lithuania, and other important EU issues. The Minister underlined the importance of the infrastructure projects such as Rail Baltica and Lithuanian-Polish Power Grid Connection. February 18. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus attended the inauguration ceremony of newly-elected President of Croatia Stjepan Mesic in Zagreb. During the ceremony, President Adamkus also met with Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski and Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko. Their meeting covered further development of bilateral and trilateral relations.   February 18. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with Deputy Supreme Allied Command Europe, General Sir John Reith in Vilnius. February 18. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Danuta Hubner. February 20. Chairmen of the Lithuanian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin met in Trakai, Lithuania. During the meeting the Ministers discussed topical issues of the Lithuanian-Russian economic, energy, social and cultural cooperation, as well as cooperation in the fields of environment protection and transport. Special attention was given to the cooperation between Klaipėda and Kaliningrad ports, demarcation of the Lithuanian-Russian state border, modernization of the border infrastructure, social and economic development of Kaliningrad region, humanitarian and social issues. The chairmen of the intergovernmental commission agreed to renew discussions on the “2K” project aiming at promotion of cooperation of Kaliningrad and Klaipėda ports and increasing their competitiveness with other ports of the region. Other issues such as return of deposits of Lithuanian residents in “Vneshekonombank”, the Lithuanian-Russian agreement on cooperation in pension’s sphere, an agreement on cemeteries of military and civilian victims of war and repressions, environmental protection of the UNESCO World Heritage of the Curonian Spit, an agreement on pollution prevention and damages reparation were discussed.  February 21. Before the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Brussels, where the EU-Ukraine Action Plan was officially endorsed, Lithuania organized a meeting of several EU Member States with Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister for European integration Oleh Rybachuk. The meeting was chaired by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and the issues of Ukraine’s EU integration program and possible assistance to Ukraine were discussed during the meeting. Antanas Valionis also met with EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. At the meeting with Andris Piebalgs the Minister underlined the importance of the Lithuanian-Polish Power Grid Connection and gas supply routes to Western Europe. With B. Ferrero-Waldner the issues of the European Neighbourhood Policy and Commissioner’s visit to Lithuania in March were discussed. At the GAERC meeting, commenting the European Commission’s proposal on the means for increasing EU competitiveness and employment promotion programmes, the Minister stressed that the European Union should exploit properly the potential of new EU Member States. Speaking about European Commission’s proposal on further financing of the closure of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, the Minister noted that the closure of the plant and the consequences of the closure should be financed from the same source. February 22. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the NATO Summit and NATO-Ukraine meetings in Brussels. President Valdas Adamkus attended the EU-US Summit meeting, in which he delivered the speech on the European Neighbourhood policy.   February 24. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with former Netherlands Prime Minister Wim Kok, Chairman of the High Level Group on the Lisbon Strategy, and Philippe de Buck, Secretary General of the Union of Industrial and EmployersConfederations of Europe (UNICE) in Vilnius. February 25. Lithuanian Honorary Consulate was opened in Houston, State of Texas. William Altman appointed Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Houston. February 28–2 March. Slovakian President Ivan Gashparovic paid a state visit to Lithuania.  Slovakian President Ivan Gashparovic and Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus discussed bilateral relations, EU, NATO related issues. The Presidents attended the Lithuanian-Slovakian Business Forum. Slovakian President met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis in Druskininkai where they discussed the prospects of the Lithuanian-Slovakian relations after the enlargement of the European Union and NATO and the opportunities of closer cooperation between Central Europe and the Baltic region. MARCH March 1. Chairman of the Swedish Parliament Bjorn Von Sydow paid a visit to Lithuania and met with President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis to discuss the prospects of cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries.   March 6-9. Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament Artūras Paulauskas paid a visit to Germany and met with President of the German Bundestag Wolfgang Thierse, Chairman of the Bundestag Foreign Relations Committee Volker Rühe and President of the Berlin Parliament Walter Momper, as well as participated in the conference “Prospects and Challenges for Europe and Jewish Nation”. March 7-9. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a visit to Hungary and opened the Lithuanian Embassy in Budapest. The Minister met with Hungarian President Ferenc Madl, Foreign Minister Ferenc Somogyi and Minister of European Affairs Etel Baráth. During the meetings the issues of the Lithuanian-Hungarian bilateral cooperation, EU, NATO, the European Neighbourhood Policy were discussed. March 8. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with Rabbi Andrew Baker, co-ordinator of the International Committee for Issues on Jewish Community Property in Lithuania to discuss the restitution issues of the Jewish property in Lithuania. March 9-10. Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski paid a state visit to Lithuania and met with President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, and Chairman of the Parliament Artūras Paulauskas. The prospects of the Strategic partnership between Lithuania and Poland, the EU, NATO, the EU Neighbourhood policy were discussed during the meetings.   March 9-10. Lithuanian MFA Under-Secretary Šarūnas Adomavičius participated in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia. The meeting focused on the strengthening of relations between the European Union and ASEAN, especially with regard to the fight against terrorism and international criminality, and the consequences of the tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia. March 11-12. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the informal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic States in Riga. The Ministers discussed trilateral cooperation within the European Union and relations with the eastern neighbours. March 13-17. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus attended the opening ceremony of the Yad Vashem Museum in Israel.       March 14. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Ministers discussed issues of bilateral cooperation. The Ministers agreed on the necessity to further develop Lithuanian-Russian relations. Russian Foreign Minister confirmed his intention to attend NATO-Russian Foreign Ministers meeting on 21-22 April in Vilnius. March 16. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the meeting of the European Union’s General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels in which he stressed that the obstacles hindering the development of the common internal market must be removed. March 17. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner met in Vilnius and discussed topical issues of the EU relations with Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, and Southern Caucasus countries.   March 18. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with the delegation of Kaliningrad Region Administration officials, led by Governor Vladimir Jegorov. March 22-23. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas participated in the European Council meeting in Brussels. The Prime Ministers of the Baltic and Northern countries discussed the European Council agenda, EU economic development priorities, and the Lisbon strategy. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka, and Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis also met with President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Baroso and submitted the joint letter on the “Amber” gas pipeline project. March 24-26. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a working visit to Moldova. During the visit bilateral meetings with Moldovan heads of state and leaders of the parliamentary opposition parties took place. During the meetings topical issues of the EU-Moldova relations, bilateral Lithuanian-Moldovan, and perspectives of the Transnistrian conflict settlement were discussed. March 29. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with Estonian President Arnold Rüütel in Tallinn. The Presidents commemorated the anniversary of NATO enlargement to the Baltic States. March 29. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with the delegation of Defence Committees of Estonian and Latvian Parliaments and discussed the issues of the Baltic cooperation within NATO and the EU. March 29. Lithuanian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zenonas Petrauskas and Deputy Foreign Minister of Serbia and Montenegro Predrag Boshkovich signed governmental agreement between the Lithuanian Government and the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro on Bilateral Promotion and Protection of Investments. March 30. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with EU Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget Dalia Grybauskaitė to discuss the issues of the introduction of euro in 2007, the usage of the EU Structural Funds, the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013. March 31. Diplomatic relations between Lithuania and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan were re-established. APRIL April 1. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with President of the European Parliament Josep Borrell Fontelles, who paid a visit to Lithuania. During the meeting topical EU issues such as the ratification of the EU Constitutional Treaty, the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013, the EU Neighbourhood Policy, and the EU-Russia relations were discussed. April 4. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis expressed condolences on death of Pope John Paul II to Vatican Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Adam Daniel Rotfeld underlining Pope’s merits to Lithuania. April 4. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the 15th EU and Persian Gulf Cooperation Council Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Bahrain. April 8. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russian Minister of Transportation Igor Levitin in Moscow to discuss Lithuanian and Russian topical economic, environmental, social and cultural cooperation issues. April 9-10. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a visit to Georgia and met with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, Georgian Prime Minister Zourab Nogaidel, Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili to discuss the situation in the region, prospects of the European Neighbourhood Policy, regional cooperation, and Georgia’s relations with the EU and NATO. April 11. Bilateral consultations of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indian Ministry of External Relations were held in Vilnius. April 13. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a visit to Kiev and met with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk. During the meetings the development of the EU-Ukraine relations and the European Neighbourhood Policy were discussed. April 15. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the informal EU meeting of Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg. The Minister pointed out the situation in the South Caucasus states and Belarus. April 19. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero–Waldner in Brussels to discuss the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU cooperation in promoting reforms and the civil society in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Belarus. April 20. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus received the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Condoleezza Rice. The meeting mainly focused on the development of democracy in the Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions. The participants also discussed joint actions of Lithuania and the United States in Afghanistan. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice assured that the United States would give every support to Lithuanian leadership of the mission to rebuild Afghanistan’s province. April 20-21. Informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers was held Vilnius. NATO – Russia Council and NATO-Ukraine Commission meetings were held as well. At the NATO-Ukraine Commission’s meeting significant decisions pertaining Ukraine’s cooperation with NATO were taken. Bilateral meetings also took place during the NATO Ministerial. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with German Foreign Minister Joschke Fischer to discuss the Eastern policy of the European Union, closer cooperation of Lithuania and Germany in promoting reforms and development of civil society in Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. The meeting of Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov focused on the issues of bilateral cooperation such as Kaliningrad transit, phytosanitary and veterinary check at the border, railway tariffs, environmental cooperation, border demarcation, modernisation of the border infrastructure, cooperation between Klaipėda and Kaliningrad ports, social and economic development of Kaliningrad Region.  NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, during the meetings with President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas appreciated the participation of Lithuanian soldiers in international peace missions. High Representative of the EU for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana met with President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas to discuss the EU Neighbourhood Policy, EU dialogue with Russia, and the EU-Russia summit meeting. April 22. The Presidents of Lithuania, Romania and the GUAM countries signed a Joint Statement on the development of democracy from the Baltic to the Black Sea region in Chisinau, Moldova. The Heads of State expressed commitment to ensure that democracy and respect for human rights are anchored in the region. According to the Presidents, the European Neighbourhood Policy offers an effective mechanism for integration with the European Union. The Heads of State agreed to support democratic processes and civil society in Belarus. The Presidents underscored that cooperation with Russia is an important factor in ensuring security and stability in Europe. April 24. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and Mrs. Alma Adamkienė attended in the Vatican the inauguration ceremony to mark the start of the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. April 24. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting to discuss the issues of the multilateral negotiation round of the World Trade Organisation and the prospects of the EU-Russia trade relations. April 28-30. Lithuanian MFA Undersecretary Šarūnas Adomavičius participated in the Ministerial meeting of the Community of Democracies in Santiago, Chile. He met with Chairman of the Chilean Senate Sergio Romero Pizarro, Head of the European Department Jose Luis Balmaceda and Head of the International Economic Relations Department Carlos Furche Gajardo of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the prospects of the Lithuanian-Chilean cooperation. MAY May 2. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus received Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who paid a working visit to Vilnius. During the working luncheon, the President and the Prime Minister discussed bilateral relations and the external relations of the European Union, successful participation of President Valdas Adamkus in resolving the crisis in Ukraine, Lithuania’s regional initiatives and the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Heads of Lithuania and Denmark exchanged views on the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Danish Prime Minister underlined that Denmark appreciates the determination of Lithuania to be involved in building peace and stability in Afghanistan and hopes to support the effort by Lithuania. The Danish and Lithuanian leaders expressed belief that the Baltic-Nordic cooperation is highly important and rewarding and therefore should be continued both in the EU and in the region, and the countries should at the same time work for closer cooperation between the Baltic and Black Sea regions. May 6-7. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a working visit to Riga. On 6 May the Minister participated in the international conference “Democracy Beyond the Baltics – Euro Atlantic Contribution“, and delivered the speech on democracy expansion to the East. Antanas Valionis met with Latvian counterpart Artis Pabriks to discuss bilateral cooperation. On 7 May Lithuanian Foreign Minister attended the meeting of the three Baltic States’ and US Presidents and trilateral meeting of the Baltic States Presidents. May 6-7. Lithuanian MFA Undersecretary Albinas Januška participated in the 7th Asian and European Foreign Ministers meeting (ASEM) in Kyoto, Japan. The meeting focused on the strengthening of Asian-European dialogue in solving global problems. The heads of the delegations discussed political, economic, social and cultural issues and exchanged views on the future of ASEM. May 7. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus paid a working visit to Riga to attend a meeting of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Presidents with President George W. Bush of the United States of America. At a working luncheon the Presidents discussed promotion of freedom and democracy in the Eastern European region and the Baltic States’ contribution to spreading the values of freedom and democracy across the region and the world. The Heads of state also discussed the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan and the contribution of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to ensuring security and stability in these countries. George W. Bush thanked the Baltic States for their contribution to these important international missions for building security and stability. The Presidents also exchanged views on the issue of energy dependency across the world. At the meeting the President of Lithuania was asked to inform the participants about the recent meeting of GUAM countries in Chisinau, with the leaders of which President Valdas Adamkus maintains regular contacts. The Head of Lithuania also introduced the idea to hold a forum of new democracies in Vilnius in 2006 and invited the other Presidents to attend. In the context of discussion about the relations with Russia, President Valdas Adamkus said he aims at a friendly and constructive relationship with the country. May 9. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus received a delegation of the Congressmen of the United States of America. The President thanked the United States of America for expressing support to Lithuania at the international level at a time when controversial statements were made regarding the effects of World War II in the Baltic States. The President welcomed the initiative by the members of the U.S. Congress to present for deliberation a draft resolution that calls on Russia to condemn the occupation and annexation of the Baltic States. The participants of the meeting also discussed development of democracy in Eastern Europe, which is becoming a major area in the Lithuanian foreign policy. The Congressmen expressed appreciation for Lithuania’s efforts to promote freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe and for Lithuania’s contribution to the international community’s fight against terrorism and to the effort in Iraq and Afghanistan. May 9. Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations Ambassador Gediminas Šerkšnys delivered the speech on behalf of the three Baltic States in the UN General Assembly session devoted to the commemoration of the end of the Second World War. The Lithuanian Representative noted that the celebration of the end of the Second World War could not be dissociated from the Soviet occupation and the revelation of historical truth. May 9-12. The annual meeting of the heads of diplomatic missions in Lithuania took place in Vilnius. The participants of the meeting were welcomed by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, Chairman of the Parliament Artūras Paulauskas and Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas. The heads of diplomatic missions discussed the issues of the EU and NATO membership, Lithuanian multilateral relations, and security policy. May 10. During the conference “New Lithuanian emigration: problems and possible solutions” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis urged to pay special attention to the new Lithuanian emigrants’ ties with Lithuania. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs prepared proposals for the Government on the Lithuanian emigration issue. May 11. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus attended the UNESCO/Club of Rome International Conference on the Impact of Information Technologies on Knowledge Society in Paris. At the meeting with UNESCO Secretary General Koichiro Matsuura the President discussed Lithuanian activities in UNESCO and new directions of cooperation.   May 11. The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the conference “Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe: Ratification Challenges” in Vilnius. The conference examined the process of ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe in the member states, and the impact of the Treaty on foreign policies of the European Union and Lithuania. May 12. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Spanish Foreign Ministry State Secretary for the European Union Alberto Navarro, who paid a visit to Vilnius. The officials discussed bilateral cooperation issues, the process of ratification in the EU members of the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, and the EU financial perspective 2007-2013. May 15. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko in Vilnius. The issues of European and Transatlantic integration were discussed during the meeting.     May 15. The international conference “Future of the European Union and Eastern Europe: States, Nations, Communities and People” took place in Vilnius. The conference was attended by Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian, Ukrainian, Moldovan, Belarusian, Polish, Czech, German, French and Lithuanian intellectuals, experts, writers, and journalists. May 15-16. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus attended the third European Council Summit in Warsaw. May 20. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis in Riga. The meetings with the Latvian officials focused on the Baltic States’ position in the negotiations on the Financial Perspective of the European Union 2007-2013. May 23. During the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis stressed the importance of fair allocation of the EU funds. May 23-25. During the meetings of Lithuanian MFA Under-Secretary Dalius Čekuolis with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui, the issues of bilateral and multilateral relations and certain aspects of the EU-Chinese cooperation were discussed. May 24-25. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Security Forum in Åre, Sweden. In the Forum “Managing Security - Our Common Challenge” ministers, diplomats, security experts, NGO representatives looked for ways of addressing unresolved conflicts in Europe, discussed strengthening of NATO’s partnerships and perspectives of cooperation in Central Asia and in the Balkans. Lithuanian Foreign Minister participated in discussion of the working group considering Europe’s unresolved conflicts. In Åre Antanas Valionis met with Foreign Minister of Slovenia, which chaired the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2005 Dimitrij Rupel, Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. May 26. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Transport Minister, Russian Co-Chairman of the Lithuanian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission Igor Levitin paid a working visit to Lithuania. During the meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Lithuanian co-Chairman of Lithuanian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission Antanas Valionis and Minister of Finance, acting Minister of Transport and Communications Zigmantas Balčytis the issues of the Lithuanian-Russian cooperation in transport sphere, Klaipėda and Kaliningrad ports’ cooperation (2K project), and coordination of the work plan of the Lithuanian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission were discussed. After the meeting in Trakai, Lithuanian and Russian delegations went by train to Kybartai where Russian Ministers Lavrov and Levitin were acquainted with cargo inspection procedures on the railway station on the border with Russian Kaliningrad region. May 30-31. The delegation headed by Lithuanian Foreign Vice Minister Zenonas Petrauskas participated in the 7th Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg to discuss the development of a free trade zone, the establishment of a common energy market and other economic, political and cultural cooperation issues. JUNE June 2. Bilateral consultations of Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas and Prime Minister of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker were held in Luxembourg. During the consultations, the issues of the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013 and the process of the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe were discussed. June 4-12. Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament Artūras Paulauskas paid an official visit to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan where he participated in discussions on parliamentary and topical issues of bilateral relations. June 6-8. During the state visit to Spain, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with Spanish King Juan Carlos I, Spanish Prime Minister Rodriguez Zapatero, and members of the Senate and the Congress. The discussions focused on European affairs. The President also met representatives of the Lithuanian community to find out more about Lithuanians working and living in Spain.     June 7. During the second bilateral consultations of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions focused on the main aspects of the Lithuanian-Pakistani cooperation, and prospects of further development of relations. June 8-9. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the conference on Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance arranged by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Cordoba, Spain. June 9. The Greek-Baltic Chamber of Trade and Industry launched its activities in Thessaloniki. The Chamber promotes trade and business relations between Greece and the Baltic States in cooperation with Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Embassies. June 9-10. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the 13th session of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in Szczecin, Poland. The talks focused on CBSS tasks in the development of cooperation between the Baltic Sea States, the promotion of economic relations and the consolidation of civil society in the region. June 10. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas attended the meeting of the Prime Ministers of Northern and Baltic countries (NB6) in Copenhagen to discuss the issues of the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013. June 13. Consultations of Lithuanian and Chinese Ministries of Foreign Affairs on consular issues took place in Beijing. The delegations were led by the heads of the Departments of Consular Affairs. June 13. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Luxembourg to discuss the preparations for the European Council summit meeting, the EU-US summit, the international conference on Iraq reconstruction, the UN summit, the situation in the Middle East, West Balkans, Uzbekistan, and relations between the EU and Cuba. June 15. Georgia unilaterally cancelled the visa regime in respect of the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and other member states of the European Union who stay in the country up to 90 days. June 16. During the visit to Ukraine, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko discussed political processes taking place in Ukraine, the progress of Ukrainian reforms, national actions aimed at closer relations with the European Union and NATO, and the situation in Belarus.   June 16-17. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas and Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis attended the meeting of the European Council in Brussels, where the issues of the EU Financial Perspective and the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe were discussed.   June 27. British Minister of State for Europe Douglas Alexander paid a visit to Lithuania. During the meeting with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus the issues of the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe in the member states, the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013 were discussed.   June 28. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and Secretary of the National Georgian Security Council, National Security Advisor to the President of Georgia Gela Bezhuashvili in Vilnius discussed the issues of Lithuanian and Georgian cooperation. June 30. During the visit to Lithuania, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan met with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and discussed Armenia’s relations with Russia, the Lithuanian-Armenian, and the EU-Armenian cooperation.   JULY July 4-8. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas visited the EXPO exhibition in Japan and met with Japanese Emperor Akihito, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, President of the House of Councillors (Upper Chamber) Chikage Ogi and Head of the Group of Parliamentary Relations with Lithuania Hirofumi Nakasone. July 7. Chairman of the Polish Sejm Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz paid a visit to Lithuania. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of Lithuania to the guest for merits to the Republic of Lithuania and assistance to Lithuania in its integration into the Transatlantic and European structures. Cimoszewicz met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and discussed the cooperation of Lithuania and Poland with Ukraine and Russia, and the new neighbours of the EU. July 7. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis received the delegation of the board members of the US American Jewish Committee, headed by Director of International Jewish Affairs Rabbi Andrew Baker, in Vilnius. The issue of the Jewish community property restitution was discussed. July 8. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with the Chairman of the 16th Council Presidium of the US Lithuanian Community Regina Gytė Narušienė in Vilnius and  thanked her for the active support of the US Lithuanian Community in implementing the goals of the Lithuanian foreign policy. July 8. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with the leaders of the Polish Lithuanian Community and discussed relevant issues of cooperation of Polish Lithuanians with Lithuanian institutions. July 14. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Irish Parliament Chairman Rory O’Hanlon in Vilnius and discussed the issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. July 18. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis attended the meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels, which approved the EU Presidency programme. July 21. French Minister of European Affairs Catherine Colonna paid a visit to Lithuania. During the meeting with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus the issues of the European Union’s future, cooperation, development, external relations and budget were discussed. At the meeting with Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis the issues of further development of the European Union, the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013, and the French-Lithuanian relations were discussed. July 22. In commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the US non-recognition policy of the occupation of the Baltic States, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis sent a letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and thanked her for the consistent policy carried out by the US during the Soviet times. July 26-29. The Demarcation Commission for the Lithuanian and Belarusian border approved the demarcated sections of the state border. July 27-28. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus paid a visit to Prague. With Chairman of the Senate of the Czech Parliament Premysl Sobotka, the President discussed the future of the European Union and the prospects of the European Union’s Constitution. President Valdas Adamkus was awarded the Polak Charity Foundation award at Charles University, Prague.    July 29. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with Estonian President Arnold Rüütel in Kuressaare, Estonia, and attended the opening of the Lithuanian exhibition.  

JANUARY

January 7. Lithuanian MFA Undersecretary Šarūnas Adomavičius participated in the extraordinary meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels to discuss consequences of the tsunami in Southeast Asia. Lithuania contributed to the efforts of the international community to eliminate the consequences of the catastrophe. On 5 January during the meeting of the Lithuanian Government it was decided to contribute 350 thousand litas to devastated regions of Southeast Asia. The contribution was transferred to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Lithuanian society actively contributed to nations affected by the disaster.

January 10. Annual meeting of Lithuanians residing in Tokyo took place in the Lithuanian Embassy in Tokyo. The Lithuanian community, uniting 45 members, was officially established in Tokyo.

January 11. Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament Artūras Paulauskas participated in the discussions of the European Parliament concerning the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and met with President of the European Parliament Josep Borrell, EU Commissioner and Vice President of the European Commission Margot Wallström, and EU Commissioner Dalia Grybauskaitė.

January 11-12. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Konstantyn Hryshchenko in Palanga. The Ministers paid considerable attention to the development of the EU-Ukraine relations and adoption of the EU-Ukraine Action Plan. They stressed the necessity to start implementing the Action Plan as soon as possible. Lithuanian Minister assured Ukrainian Foreign Minister that Lithuania actively participates in shaping the EU policy on Ukraine. The Foreign Ministers also stressed strengthening of practical cooperation between Ukraine and NATO. Ukrainian Foreign Minister underlined that Ukraine’s priority is integration to the EU and NATO while preserving good relations with Russia.

January 13-14. Chairman of the Polish Sejm Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz paid a visit to Lithuania and met with President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas. The issues of political situation in Poland and Lithuania, the EU relations with Russia and Ukraine, establishment of the parliamentary assembly of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine were discussed during the meetings.

 

January 13-15. Informal meeting of the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Foreign Ministers took place in Palanga. During the meeting Antanas Valionis, Artis Pabriks and Kristina Ojuland discussed the policy of the three Baltic States in respect to their eastern neighbours.

January 20. On the initiative of the Institute of History of Lithuania and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a round table discussion “Prospects of development of Lithuanian and German cooperation in the context of the EU and NATO membership” was organised in Vilnius.
Lithuanian and German science, culture, business and political representatives discussed the prospects of the Lithuanian-German cooperation.

January 21. The second meeting of the working group to formulate and coordinate proposals relating to transit to and from Kaliningrad Region via Lithuania, chaired by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis, took place in Vilnius. The Foreign Minister underlined that benevolent cooperation between the corresponding Lithuanian and Russian departments helped to resolve many technical issues. During the meeting such issues as development of container transportation, more extensive exploitation of Pagėgiai railway post, veterinary grouping of cargo, reconstruction of railcars, the elimination of forced train demurrage at Kybartai railway station, railway tariff issues and prospects of the “2K” (Kaliningrad-Klaipėda) project were discussed.

January 21. Lithuanian Ambassador to UNESCO Ina Marčiulionytė handed over ratification deeds of the Convention of Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection to the organisation’s General Director Koichiro Matsuura.

January 23. Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament Artūras Paulauskas participated in the inauguration ceremony of President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko.

January 24. Lithuanian MFA Undersecretary Albinas Januška and State Secretary of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jan Truszczynski, national co-ordinators of the Lithuanian-Polish intergovernmental cooperation, met in Warsaw. During the meeting bilateral issues and the cooperation of Lithuania and Poland in respect to the eastern neighbours of the European Union were discussed.

January 25. Lithuanian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zenonas Petrauskas met with Tunisian MFA State Secretary Mohamed Hatem Ben Salem who paid a working visit to the Baltic States. Tunisian MFA State Secretary also met with Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Audronis Ažubalis.

January 26. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Albanian Defence Minister Pandel Majko in Vilnius.

January 27-28. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas attended the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschvitz-Birkenau camp in Osvencim in Poland. Algirdas Brazauskas met with Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka.

January 31. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Polish, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Austrian and Slovenian counterparts before the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Brussels. During the working lunch organized on Polish initiative the Ministers discussed the EU financial perspective and the EU cooperation with Ukraine. The aim of the working lunch was to coordinate positions of the Central European countries before the EU Foreign Ministers meeting. On 30 January Antanas Valionis took part in the Northern and Baltic States Foreign Ministers dinner where preparation for the GAERC meeting was discussed.

January 31. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in NATO Headquarters in Brussels. NATO Secretary General appreciated Lithuania’s decision to lead one of the newly-established Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Ghor province of Afghanistan. The Minister and NATO Secretary General discussed the preparations for the informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers on 21-22 April, 2005 in Vilnius.

FEBRUARY

February 1. Lithuania established diplomatic relations with Belize.

February 2. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and Polish Foreign Minister Adam Daniel Rotfeld met in Vilnius.

February 3-4. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a visit to Ireland and met with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern, parliamentary committees for Foreign and European affairs.

February 7. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili in Vilnius. The Ministers discussed Georgia’s relations with the EU and NATO.

February 8-10. The U.S. and German George C. Marshall Centre, Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Institute of International Relations and Political Science (IIRPS) of Vilnius University organized a conference "The Baltic Region and the South Caucasus: Strategies for Cooperation and Patterns of Reform". The tree days conference in IIRPS was attended by high-ranking politicians, parliamentarians, diplomats, military officers from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and their counterparts from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, other countries and international organizations.

February 9. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili in Vilnius. The issues of the EU-Georgian and NATO-Georgian relations were discussed.

 

 

February 9. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in Informal NATO Ministerial meeting in Brussels to discuss preparations for the NATO Summit meeting.

February 10. French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier paid a visit to Lithuania and met with President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, Chairman of the Parliament Artūras Paulauskas, Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis, and Members of the parliamentary committees on Foreign and European affairs. The discussions were focused on the Lithuanian-French cooperation within the EU, the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Financial Perspective of the EU, the Lisbon Strategy, the prospects of ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe in the EU member states, and other relevant issues. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus awarded the Grand Cross of Commander of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas to the guest for merits to the Republic of Lithuania and assistance to Lithuania in its integration into transatlantic and European structures.

February 11-13. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the International Conference on Security Policy “Peace through Dialogue” in Munich. The Minister met with US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld and Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton.

February 15. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a working visit to Riga. During the visit Antanas Valionis and Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks signed Lithuanian and Latvian governmental agreement on the repayment of a debt to Latvia for maintenance of Lithuanian embassy in Washington. According to the agreement Lithuania commits to pay 1.5 million US dollars debt to Latvia. The debt was accumulated in 1981-1991 due to financing of activities of the Lithuanian embassy in Washington. In 1980 when Lithuanian gold reserve kept in the US ran out, Charge d’affaires of Latvian Republic in the US agreed to grant Lithuania an interest-free loan.

February 18. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with European Commissioner for Regional Policy Danuta Hübner in Vilnius and discussed the process of negotiations on the EU financial perspective 2007-2013, and the review of the Lisbon strategy. The Minister and the European Commissioner also touched upon infrastructure priorities in the Baltic Sea region, administration of the EU structural funds in Lithuania, and other important EU issues. The Minister underlined the importance of the infrastructure projects such as Rail Baltica and Lithuanian-Polish Power Grid Connection.

February 18. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus attended the inauguration ceremony of newly-elected President of Croatia Stjepan Mesic in Zagreb. During the ceremony, President Adamkus also met with Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski and Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko. Their meeting covered further development of bilateral and trilateral relations.

 

February 18. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with Deputy Supreme Allied Command Europe, General Sir John Reith in Vilnius.

February 18. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Danuta Hubner.

February 20. Chairmen of the Lithuanian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin met in Trakai, Lithuania. During the meeting the Ministers discussed topical issues of the Lithuanian-Russian economic, energy, social and cultural cooperation, as well as cooperation in the fields of environment protection and transport. Special attention was given to the cooperation between Klaipėda and Kaliningrad ports, demarcation of the Lithuanian-Russian state border, modernization of the border infrastructure, social and economic development of Kaliningrad region, humanitarian and social issues. The chairmen of the intergovernmental commission agreed to renew discussions on the “2K” project aiming at promotion of cooperation of Kaliningrad and Klaipėda ports and increasing their competitiveness with other ports of the region. Other issues such as return of deposits of Lithuanian residents in “Vneshekonombank”, the Lithuanian-Russian agreement on cooperation in pension’s sphere, an agreement on cemeteries of military and civilian victims of war and repressions, environmental protection of the UNESCO World Heritage of the Curonian Spit, an agreement on pollution prevention and damages reparation were discussed.

 February 21. Before the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Brussels, where the EU-Ukraine Action Plan was officially endorsed, Lithuania organized a meeting of several EU Member States with Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister for European integration Oleh Rybachuk. The meeting was chaired by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and the issues of Ukraine’s EU integration program and possible assistance to Ukraine were discussed during the meeting. Antanas Valionis also met with EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. At the meeting with Andris Piebalgs the Minister underlined the importance of the Lithuanian-Polish Power Grid Connection and gas supply routes to Western Europe. With B. Ferrero-Waldner the issues of the European Neighbourhood Policy and Commissioner’s visit to Lithuania in March were discussed. At the GAERC meeting, commenting the European Commission’s proposal on the means for increasing EU competitiveness and employment promotion programmes, the Minister stressed that the European Union should exploit properly the potential of new EU Member States. Speaking about European Commission’s proposal on further financing of the closure of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, the Minister noted that the closure of the plant and the consequences of the closure should be financed from the same source.

February 22. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the NATO Summit and NATO-Ukraine meetings in Brussels. President Valdas Adamkus attended the EU-US Summit meeting, in which he delivered the speech on the European Neighbourhood policy.

 

February 24. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with former Netherlands Prime Minister Wim Kok, Chairman of the High Level Group on the Lisbon Strategy, and Philippe de Buck, Secretary General of the Union of Industrial and Employers
Confederations of Europe (UNICE) in Vilnius.

February 25. Lithuanian Honorary Consulate was opened in Houston, State of Texas. William Altman appointed Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Houston.

February 28–2 March. Slovakian President Ivan Gashparovic paid a state visit to Lithuania.  Slovakian President Ivan Gashparovic and Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus discussed bilateral relations, EU, NATO related issues. The Presidents attended the Lithuanian-Slovakian Business Forum. Slovakian President met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis in Druskininkai where they discussed the prospects of the Lithuanian-Slovakian relations after the enlargement of the European Union and NATO and the opportunities of closer cooperation between Central Europe and the Baltic region.

MARCH

March 1. Chairman of the Swedish Parliament Bjorn Von Sydow paid a visit to Lithuania and met with President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis to discuss the prospects of cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries.

 

March 6-9. Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament Artūras Paulauskas paid a visit to Germany and met with President of the German Bundestag Wolfgang Thierse, Chairman of the Bundestag Foreign Relations Committee Volker Rühe and President of the Berlin Parliament Walter Momper, as well as participated in the conference “Prospects and Challenges for Europe and Jewish Nation”.

March 7-9. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a visit to Hungary and opened the Lithuanian Embassy in Budapest. The Minister met with Hungarian President Ferenc Madl, Foreign Minister Ferenc Somogyi and Minister of European Affairs Etel Baráth. During the meetings the issues of the Lithuanian-Hungarian bilateral cooperation, EU, NATO, the European Neighbourhood Policy were discussed.

March 8. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with Rabbi Andrew Baker, co-ordinator of the International Committee for Issues on Jewish Community Property in Lithuania to discuss the restitution issues of the Jewish property in Lithuania.

March 9-10. Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski paid a state visit to Lithuania and met with President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, and Chairman of the Parliament Artūras Paulauskas. The prospects of the Strategic partnership between Lithuania and Poland, the EU, NATO, the EU Neighbourhood policy were discussed during the meetings.

 

March 9-10. Lithuanian MFA Under-Secretary Šarūnas Adomavičius participated in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia. The meeting focused on the strengthening of relations between the European Union and ASEAN, especially with regard to the fight against terrorism and international criminality, and the consequences of the tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia.

March 11-12. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the informal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic States in Riga. The Ministers discussed trilateral cooperation within the European Union and relations with the eastern neighbours.

March 13-17. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus attended the opening ceremony of the Yad Vashem Museum in Israel.

 

 

 

March 14. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Ministers discussed issues of bilateral cooperation. The Ministers agreed on the necessity to further develop Lithuanian-Russian relations. Russian Foreign Minister confirmed his intention to attend NATO-Russian Foreign Ministers meeting on 21-22 April in Vilnius.

March 16. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the meeting of the European Union’s General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels in which he stressed that the obstacles hindering the development of the common internal market must be removed.

March 17. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner met in Vilnius and discussed topical issues of the EU relations with Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, and Southern Caucasus countries.

 

March 18. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with the delegation of Kaliningrad Region Administration officials, led by Governor Vladimir Jegorov.

March 22-23. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas participated in the European Council meeting in Brussels. The Prime Ministers of the Baltic and Northern countries discussed the European Council agenda, EU economic development priorities, and the Lisbon strategy. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka, and Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis also met with President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Baroso and submitted the joint letter on the “Amber” gas pipeline project.

March 24-26. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a working visit to Moldova. During the visit bilateral meetings with Moldovan heads of state and leaders of the parliamentary opposition parties took place. During the meetings topical issues of the EU-Moldova relations, bilateral Lithuanian-Moldovan, and perspectives of the Transnistrian conflict settlement were discussed.

March 29. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with Estonian President Arnold Rüütel in Tallinn. The Presidents commemorated the anniversary of NATO enlargement to the Baltic States.

March 29. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with the delegation of Defence Committees of Estonian and Latvian Parliaments and discussed the issues of the Baltic cooperation within NATO and the EU.

March 29. Lithuanian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zenonas Petrauskas and Deputy Foreign Minister of Serbia and Montenegro Predrag Boshkovich signed governmental agreement between the Lithuanian Government and the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro on Bilateral Promotion and Protection of Investments.

March 30. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with EU Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget Dalia Grybauskaitė to discuss the issues of the introduction of euro in 2007, the usage of the EU Structural Funds, the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013.

March 31. Diplomatic relations between Lithuania and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan were re-established.

APRIL

April 1. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with President of the European Parliament Josep Borrell Fontelles, who paid a visit to Lithuania. During the meeting topical EU issues such as the ratification of the EU Constitutional Treaty, the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013, the EU Neighbourhood Policy, and the EU-Russia relations were discussed.

April 4. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis expressed condolences on death of Pope John Paul II to Vatican Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Adam Daniel Rotfeld underlining Pope’s merits to Lithuania.

April 4. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the 15th EU and Persian Gulf Cooperation Council Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Bahrain.

April 8. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russian Minister of Transportation Igor Levitin in Moscow to discuss Lithuanian and Russian topical economic, environmental, social and cultural cooperation issues.

April 9-10. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a visit to Georgia and met with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, Georgian Prime Minister Zourab Nogaidel, Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili to discuss the situation in the region, prospects of the European Neighbourhood Policy, regional cooperation, and Georgia’s relations with the EU and NATO.

April 11. Bilateral consultations of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indian Ministry of External Relations were held in Vilnius.

April 13. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a visit to Kiev and met with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk. During the meetings the development of the EU-Ukraine relations and the European Neighbourhood Policy were discussed.

April 15. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the informal EU meeting of Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg. The Minister pointed out the situation in the South Caucasus states and Belarus.

April 19. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero–Waldner in Brussels to discuss the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU cooperation in promoting reforms and the civil society in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Belarus.

April 20. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus received the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Condoleezza Rice. The meeting mainly focused on the development of democracy in the Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions. The participants also discussed joint actions of Lithuania and the United States in Afghanistan. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice assured that the United States would give every support to Lithuanian leadership of the mission to rebuild Afghanistan’s province.

April 20-21. Informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers was held Vilnius. NATO – Russia Council and NATO-Ukraine Commission meetings were held as well. At the NATO-Ukraine Commission’s meeting significant decisions pertaining Ukraine’s cooperation with NATO were taken. Bilateral meetings also took place during the NATO Ministerial. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with German Foreign Minister Joschke Fischer to discuss the Eastern policy of the European Union, closer cooperation of Lithuania and Germany in promoting reforms and development of civil society in Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. The meeting of Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov focused on the issues of bilateral cooperation such as Kaliningrad transit, phytosanitary and veterinary check at the border, railway tariffs, environmental cooperation, border demarcation, modernisation of the border infrastructure, cooperation between Klaipėda and Kaliningrad ports, social and economic development of Kaliningrad Region.  NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, during the meetings with President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas appreciated the participation of Lithuanian soldiers in international peace missions. High Representative of the EU for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana met with President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas to discuss the EU Neighbourhood Policy, EU dialogue with Russia, and the EU-Russia summit meeting.

April 22. The Presidents of Lithuania, Romania and the GUAM countries signed a Joint Statement on the development of democracy from the Baltic to the Black Sea region in Chisinau, Moldova. The Heads of State expressed commitment to ensure that democracy and respect for human rights are anchored in the region. According to the Presidents, the European Neighbourhood Policy offers an effective mechanism for integration with the European Union. The Heads of State agreed to support democratic processes and civil society in Belarus. The Presidents underscored that cooperation with Russia is an important factor in ensuring security and stability in Europe.

April 24. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and Mrs. Alma Adamkienė attended in the Vatican the inauguration ceremony to mark the start of the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.

April 24. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting to discuss the issues of the multilateral negotiation round of the World Trade Organisation and the prospects of the EU-Russia trade relations.

April 28-30. Lithuanian MFA Undersecretary Šarūnas Adomavičius participated in the Ministerial meeting of the Community of Democracies in Santiago, Chile. He met with Chairman of the Chilean Senate Sergio Romero Pizarro, Head of the European Department Jose Luis Balmaceda and Head of the International Economic Relations Department Carlos Furche Gajardo of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the prospects of the Lithuanian-Chilean cooperation.

MAY

May 2. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus received Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who paid a working visit to Vilnius. During the working luncheon, the President and the Prime Minister discussed bilateral relations and the external relations of the European Union, successful participation of President Valdas Adamkus in resolving the crisis in Ukraine, Lithuania’s regional initiatives and the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Heads of Lithuania and Denmark exchanged views on the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Danish Prime Minister underlined that Denmark appreciates the determination of Lithuania to be involved in building peace and stability in Afghanistan and hopes to support the effort by Lithuania. The Danish and Lithuanian leaders expressed belief that the Baltic-Nordic cooperation is highly important and rewarding and therefore should be continued both in the EU and in the region, and the countries should at the same time work for closer cooperation between the Baltic and Black Sea regions.

May 6-7. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis paid a working visit to Riga. On 6 May the Minister participated in the international conference “Democracy Beyond the Baltics – Euro Atlantic Contribution“, and delivered the speech on democracy expansion to the East. Antanas Valionis met with Latvian counterpart Artis Pabriks to discuss bilateral cooperation. On 7 May Lithuanian Foreign Minister attended the meeting of the three Baltic States’ and US Presidents and trilateral meeting of the Baltic States Presidents.

May 6-7. Lithuanian MFA Undersecretary Albinas Januška participated in the 7th Asian and European Foreign Ministers meeting (ASEM) in Kyoto, Japan. The meeting focused on the strengthening of Asian-European dialogue in solving global problems. The heads of the delegations discussed political, economic, social and cultural issues and exchanged views on the future of ASEM.

May 7. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus paid a working visit to Riga to attend a meeting of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Presidents with President George W. Bush of the United States of America. At a working luncheon the Presidents discussed promotion of freedom and democracy in the Eastern European region and the Baltic States’ contribution to spreading the values of freedom and democracy across the region and the world. The Heads of state also discussed the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan and the contribution of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to ensuring security and stability in these countries. George W. Bush thanked the Baltic States for their contribution to these important international missions for building security and stability. The Presidents also exchanged views on the issue of energy dependency across the world. At the meeting the President of Lithuania was asked to inform the participants about the recent meeting of GUAM countries in Chisinau, with the leaders of which President Valdas Adamkus maintains regular contacts. The Head of Lithuania also introduced the idea to hold a forum of new democracies in Vilnius in 2006 and invited the other Presidents to attend. In the context of discussion about the relations with Russia, President Valdas Adamkus said he aims at a friendly and constructive relationship with the country.

May 9. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus received a delegation of the Congressmen of the United States of America. The President thanked the United States of America for expressing support to Lithuania at the international level at a time when controversial statements were made regarding the effects of World War II in the Baltic States. The President welcomed the initiative by the members of the U.S. Congress to present for deliberation a draft resolution that calls on Russia to condemn the occupation and annexation of the Baltic States. The participants of the meeting also discussed development of democracy in Eastern Europe, which is becoming a major area in the Lithuanian foreign policy. The Congressmen expressed appreciation for Lithuania’s efforts to promote freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe and for Lithuania’s contribution to the international community’s fight against terrorism and to the effort in Iraq and Afghanistan.

May 9. Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations Ambassador Gediminas Šerkšnys delivered the speech on behalf of the three Baltic States in the UN General Assembly session devoted to the commemoration of the end of the Second World War. The Lithuanian Representative noted that the celebration of the end of the Second World War could not be dissociated from the Soviet occupation and the revelation of historical truth.

May 9-12. The annual meeting of the heads of diplomatic missions in Lithuania took place in Vilnius. The participants of the meeting were welcomed by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, Chairman of the Parliament Artūras Paulauskas and Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas. The heads of diplomatic missions discussed the issues of the EU and NATO membership, Lithuanian multilateral relations, and security policy.

May 10. During the conference “New Lithuanian emigration: problems and possible solutions” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis urged to pay special attention to the new Lithuanian emigrants’ ties with Lithuania. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs prepared proposals for the Government on the Lithuanian emigration issue.

May 11. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus attended the UNESCO/Club of Rome International Conference on the Impact of Information Technologies on Knowledge Society in Paris. At the meeting with UNESCO Secretary General Koichiro Matsuura the President discussed Lithuanian activities in UNESCO and new directions of cooperation.

 

May 11. The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the conference “Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe: Ratification Challenges” in Vilnius. The conference examined the process of ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe in the member states, and the impact of the Treaty on foreign policies of the European Union and Lithuania.

May 12. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Spanish Foreign Ministry State Secretary for the European Union Alberto Navarro, who paid a visit to Vilnius. The officials discussed bilateral cooperation issues, the process of ratification in the EU members of the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, and the EU financial perspective 2007-2013.

May 15. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko in Vilnius. The issues of European and Transatlantic integration were discussed during the meeting.

 

 

May 15. The international conference “Future of the European Union and Eastern Europe: States, Nations, Communities and People” took place in Vilnius. The conference was attended by Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian, Ukrainian, Moldovan, Belarusian, Polish, Czech, German, French and Lithuanian intellectuals, experts, writers, and journalists.

May 15-16. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus attended the third European Council Summit in Warsaw.

May 20. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas met with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis in Riga. The meetings with the Latvian officials focused on the Baltic States’ position in the negotiations on the Financial Perspective of the European Union 2007-2013.

May 23. During the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis stressed the importance of fair allocation of the EU funds.

May 23-25. During the meetings of Lithuanian MFA Under-Secretary Dalius Čekuolis with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui, the issues of bilateral and multilateral relations and certain aspects of the EU-Chinese cooperation were discussed.

May 24-25. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Security Forum in Åre, Sweden. In the Forum “Managing Security - Our Common Challenge” ministers, diplomats, security experts, NGO representatives looked for ways of addressing unresolved conflicts in Europe, discussed strengthening of NATO’s partnerships and perspectives of cooperation in Central Asia and in the Balkans. Lithuanian Foreign Minister participated in discussion of the working group considering Europe’s unresolved conflicts. In Åre Antanas Valionis met with Foreign Minister of Slovenia, which chaired the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2005 Dimitrij Rupel, Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

May 26. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Transport Minister, Russian Co-Chairman of the Lithuanian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission Igor Levitin paid a working visit to Lithuania. During the meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Lithuanian co-Chairman of Lithuanian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission Antanas Valionis and Minister of Finance, acting Minister of Transport and Communications Zigmantas Balčytis the issues of the Lithuanian-Russian cooperation in transport sphere, Klaipėda and Kaliningrad ports’ cooperation (2K project), and coordination of the work plan of the Lithuanian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission were discussed. After the meeting in Trakai, Lithuanian and Russian delegations went by train to Kybartai where Russian Ministers Lavrov and Levitin were acquainted with cargo inspection procedures on the railway station on the border with Russian Kaliningrad region.

May 30-31. The delegation headed by Lithuanian Foreign Vice Minister Zenonas Petrauskas participated in the 7th Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg to discuss the development of a free trade zone, the establishment of a common energy market and other economic, political and cultural cooperation issues.

JUNE

June 2. Bilateral consultations of Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas and Prime Minister of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker were held in Luxembourg. During the consultations, the issues of the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013 and the process of the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe were discussed.

June 4-12. Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament Artūras Paulauskas paid an official visit to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan where he participated in discussions on parliamentary and topical issues of bilateral relations.

June 6-8. During the state visit to Spain, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with Spanish King Juan Carlos I, Spanish Prime Minister Rodriguez Zapatero, and members of the Senate and the Congress. The discussions focused on European affairs. The President also met representatives of the Lithuanian community to find out more about Lithuanians working and living in Spain.

June 7. During the second bilateral consultations of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions focused on the main aspects of the Lithuanian-Pakistani cooperation, and prospects of further development of relations.

June 8-9. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the conference on Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance arranged by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Cordoba, Spain.

June 9. The Greek-Baltic Chamber of Trade and Industry launched its activities in Thessaloniki. The Chamber promotes trade and business relations between Greece and the Baltic States in cooperation with Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Embassies.

June 9-10. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the 13th session of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in Szczecin, Poland. The talks focused on CBSS tasks in the development of cooperation between the Baltic Sea States, the promotion of economic relations and the consolidation of civil society in the region.

June 10. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas attended the meeting of the Prime Ministers of Northern and Baltic countries (NB6) in Copenhagen to discuss the issues of the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013.

June 13. Consultations of Lithuanian and Chinese Ministries of Foreign Affairs on consular issues took place in Beijing. The delegations were led by the heads of the Departments of Consular Affairs.

June 13. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis participated in the meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Luxembourg to discuss the preparations for the European Council summit meeting, the EU-US summit, the international conference on Iraq reconstruction, the UN summit, the situation in the Middle East, West Balkans, Uzbekistan, and relations between the EU and Cuba.

June 15. Georgia unilaterally cancelled the visa regime in respect of the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and other member states of the European Union who stay in the country up to 90 days.

June 16. During the visit to Ukraine, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko discussed political processes taking place in Ukraine, the progress of Ukrainian reforms, national actions aimed at closer relations with the European Union and NATO, and the situation in Belarus.

 

June 16-17. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas and Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis attended the meeting of the European Council in Brussels, where the issues of the EU Financial Perspective and the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe were discussed.

 

June 27. British Minister of State for Europe Douglas Alexander paid a visit to Lithuania. During the meeting with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus the issues of the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe in the member states, the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013 were discussed.

 

June 28. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and Secretary of the National Georgian Security Council, National Security Advisor to the President of Georgia Gela Bezhuashvili in Vilnius discussed the issues of Lithuanian and Georgian cooperation.

June 30. During the visit to Lithuania, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan met with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and discussed Armenia’s relations with Russia, the Lithuanian-Armenian, and the EU-Armenian cooperation.

 

JULY

July 4-8. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas visited the EXPO exhibition in Japan and met with Japanese Emperor Akihito, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, President of the House of Councillors (Upper Chamber) Chikage Ogi and Head of the Group of Parliamentary Relations with Lithuania Hirofumi Nakasone.

July 7. Chairman of the Polish Sejm Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz paid a visit to Lithuania. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of Lithuania to the guest for merits to the Republic of Lithuania and assistance to Lithuania in its integration into the Transatlantic and European structures. Cimoszewicz met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and discussed the cooperation of Lithuania and Poland with Ukraine and Russia, and the new neighbours of the EU.

July 7. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis received the delegation of the board members of the US American Jewish Committee, headed by Director of International Jewish Affairs Rabbi Andrew Baker, in Vilnius. The issue of the Jewish community property restitution was discussed.

July 8. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with the Chairman of the 16th Council Presidium of the US Lithuanian Community Regina Gytė Narušienė in Vilnius and  thanked her for the active support of the US Lithuanian Community in implementing the goals of the Lithuanian foreign policy.

July 8. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with the leaders of the Polish Lithuanian Community and discussed relevant issues of cooperation of Polish Lithuanians with Lithuanian institutions.

July 14. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Irish Parliament Chairman Rory O’Hanlon in Vilnius and discussed the issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

July 18. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis attended the meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels, which approved the EU Presidency programme.

July 21. French Minister of European Affairs Catherine Colonna paid a visit to Lithuania. During the meeting with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus the issues of the European Union’s future, cooperation, development, external relations and budget were discussed. At the meeting with Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis the issues of further development of the European Union, the EU Financial Perspective 2007-2013, and the French-Lithuanian relations were discussed.

July 22. In commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the US non-recognition policy of the occupation of the Baltic States, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis sent a letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and thanked her for the consistent policy carried out by the US during the Soviet times.

July 26-29. The Demarcation Commission for the Lithuanian and Belarusian border approved the demarcated sections of the state border.

July 27-28. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus paid a visit to Prague. With Chairman of the Senate of the Czech Parliament Premysl Sobotka, the President discussed the future of the European Union and the prospects of the European Union’s Constitution. President Valdas Adamkus was awarded the Polak Charity Foundation award at Charles University, Prague.

July 29. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus met with Estonian President Arnold Rüütel in Kuressaare, Estonia, and attended the opening of the Lithuanian exhibition.