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On 8 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, who is paying a working visit to Vilnius. The Foreign Ministers discussed the provision of further support to Ukraine in the fight against Russia's military aggression,  security challenges facing the region, the run-up to the next NATO Summit in Madrid, bilateral relations between Lithuania and Iceland, cooperation within international organisations and the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) format.

The chiefs of the Lithuanian and Icelandic diplomacy agreed that Ukraine, which was defending itself against the Russian aggression, needed uninterrupted comprehensive support and that the international community must spare no effort to hold the perpetrators of war crimes in Ukraine to account.

Landsbergis thanked his Icelandic counterpart for standing in solidarity with the European Union and imposing sanctions on Russia and Belarus. The Foreign Ministers noted the need to coordinate the international community's actions as closely as possible, further increasing pressure on Russia, as well as to expand and tighten sanctions on Russia, plugging the loopholes.

The Foreign Ministers also emphasized the importance of close NB8 cooperation both in the region and within international organisations. For example, the NB8 format is highly active and visible in the United Nations Human Rights Council.

“Lithuania and Iceland will always enjoy a special relationship,” said Landsbergis, recalling the solidarity, courage and resolution demonstrated by Iceland 31 years ago. Iceland was the first country to recognize Lithuania’s independence. The Foreign Ministers were also glad that the second largest Lithuanian community in Iceland contributed to the fostering of friendly relations between Lithuania and Iceland, and agreed to enhance the economic cooperation between Lithuania and Iceland.

Photos: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs