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On 9 December, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis continued his visit to Vienna and met with the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg.

“Austria was one of the first countries to support Lithuania when it faced migratory pressures from the Lukashenka regime, expediting the much-needed assistance. We appreciate this very much because our unity helps to fight authoritarian regimes,” said the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy after a meeting with his Austrian counterpart.

In addition, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister stressed the need for concrete action by European institutions and member states to address the challenge of irregular migration.

At the meeting, the Foreign Ministers also discussed Europe’s response to Russia’s war against Ukraine and the need to mobilize every effort to help Ukraine survive the winter.

“Russia’s aggression will never stop if the European security architecture is shaped in the face of Russia’s legitimate interests, not Ukraine’s legitimate interests. A Special Tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression is a necessary step for the international community toward ensuring that Russia is held accountable for the brutal atrocities of its leaders and soldiers. At the same time, it would be an effective deterrent for other authoritarian regimes,” Landsbergis summed up the meeting.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister also met with the Chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Austrian National Council Pamela Rendi-Wagner. They discussed the most relevant items on the international agenda and ways to strengthen Europe’s energy independence from Russia, as the country was constantly playing the energy blackmail card.

Landsbergis also met with the heads of Austrian think tanks to discuss the outline of the new European security architecture.

Photos: BMEIA/Gruber