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Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis met with Spain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares Bueno, and the President of the Congress of Deputies Meritxell Batet Lamaña.

“Russia’s war against Ukraine is changing the world’s attitude towards geopolitical processes. Europe has never been so united when it comes to external threats. Stereotypes dictated by geography are falling, and the partnership between southern and northern Europe is growing,” Landsbergis said.

During the meeting, the Foreign Ministers discussed the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine not only on Europe but also on the continents of Africa and South America, the need for energy, and economic diversification.

Heads of Lithuania and Spain’s diplomacy also stressed the need to ensure the accountability of Russian leaders for the aggression against Ukraine.

The Foreign Ministers of Lithuania and Spain signed a memorandum on regular consultations between the two countries regarding foreign policy issues.

“The memorandum that we have signed paves the way for even more intensive friendship with Spain and for diplomatic cooperation not only within the framework of the European Union and NATO agendas but also when strengthening the relationship between the EU and Latin America,” Landsbergis said at the signing of the memorandum.

“It is symbolic that the NATO summit is travelling from Madrid to Vilnius next year. The choice of the most powerful defense alliance to hold the summit in Lithuania is part of NATO’s guarantee of common security. The war in Ukraine led to a debate on the responsibility of international organizations to ensure the European continent’s security and the countries’ territorial integrity. Russia’s brutal crimes in Ukraine send a clear message: Ukraine must become a part of NATO,” Landsbergis said.

During the meeting with the President of the Congress of Deputies Meritxell Batet Lamaña, Landsbergis thanked Spain for its strong support for Ukraine and discussed bilateral cooperation.

“Ukraine must win because negotiations would mean that Europe’s borders would be forcefully redrawn again, and we cannot allow this to happen. We value Spain’s comprehensive support for Ukraine and the value-based choice to defend Ukraine’s freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” Lithuania’s Foreign Minister said.

Heads of Lithuania and Spain’s diplomacy also participated in a public discussion entitled “Looking to the East without losing the South. Common threats and challenges facing Lithuania and Spain in a new European geopolitical scenario”. During the event, they reaffirmed that value-based choice, respect for freedom, and the rules-based international order united Europe and strengthened partnerships with other continents.

Landsbergis also visited an exhibition featuring original historical documents about bilateral relations stored in the Spanish archives,  dedicated to the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Spain.