News

The Lithuanian and German Foreign Ministries held consultations on 30 June in Berlin to discuss key bilateral, regional and international policy issues.

The two delegations were led by the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Andrius Krivas and Markus Ederer, Secretary of State to the German Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The officials discussed the crisis in Ukraine and relations with Russia, the security situation in the Baltic Sea region, issues related to the Eastern partnership and energy independence, as well as efforts of the OSCE, EU and NATO to help resolve the crisis in Ukraine, preparations for the NATO Summit.

The representatives of the two countries expressed support to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. They also discussed additional measures that could be taken by the EU and international community to implement the peace plan put forward by the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. The participants of the consultations also underlined the importance of the EU’s unity and solidarity in its relations with Russia.

The two countries welcomed the signature of the EU’s Association Agreements and free trade agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, and underlined the need of an early application and ratification, as well as of consistent implementation of these agreements. The representatives of Germany expressed strong support for Lithuania’s energy infrastructure projects.

The German representatives congratulated Lithuania on the EU’s decision to allow the country to join the euro area in 2015. A.Krivas thanked Germany for its support of this goal, as well as for the country’s engagement in planning and implementing NATO allies’ measures to strengthen security in the Baltic region, as well as its active role in bringing about a political settlement of the Ukrainian issue.

During the visit to Germany, the Lithuanian Foreign Vice-Minister also met with representatives of the Bundestag and attended the Conference of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation on Germany’s role in international security policy.

He will also meet with Christoph Heusgen, Advisor on Foreign and Security Policy to the Federal Chancellor, to discuss topical international security policy issues.

From left to right: A.Krivas and M.Ederer.