News

On 28 April, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze began a two-day official visit to Lithuania at the invitation of Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas.

During the meeting of heads of the Lithuanian and Georgian diplomatic services, main attention was dedicated to bilateral political and economic relations, Georgia’s integration into the European Union and NATO, and other important issues of international policy.

Foreign Ministers of Lithuania and Georgia signed the Charter on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Within the framework of this charter a commission will be established, which will organise annual consultations and prepare action plans. The commission will be headed by the foreign ministers of Lithuania and Georgia. 

“Lithuania is ready to lend political and practical support to Georgia,” said Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Ušackas.

In 2009 Lithuania intends to allocate about 435 thousand Litas to projects in Georgia, according to the Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion programme. 

“These projects will allow creating a long-term and sustainable partnership of the Lithuanian and Georgian business structures will strengthen Georgia’s administrative capacities and deepen cultural exchange,” Minister V.Ušackas said.

The ministers also agreed to review the bilateral legal basis in the sphere of economy, thus aiming to promote mutual investment and development of trade relations.

During the meeting, Lithuanian and Georgian Ministers of Foreign Affairs discussed the Eastern Partnership initiative and agreed to begin consultations on specific projects in the nearest future. 

“Lithuania is certain that Georgia can be one of the leaders in the implementation of the EU Eastern Partnership initiative,” Minister V.Ušackas stated after the meeting.

Minister V.Ušackas also highlighted an important role of Georgia in the implementation of cooperation projects of the EU, South Caucasus and Central Asian countries in the areas of energy and transport.

Speaking with Georgian Foreign Minister G.Vashadze, Minister V.Ušackas stressed the importance of preserving Georgia’s territorial integrity, the necessity to guarantee the security of the country and the importance of the dialogue with opposition.

Today, on 28 April, Georgian Foreign Minister was received by President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus. He will also meet with Speaker of the Parliament Arūnas Valinskas and Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius.