News

On 27 August in Vilnius, an annual meeting of heads of Lithuania’s diplomatic representations started with the celebration at the Shrine of Divine Mercy. After the meeting with President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas gave a speech to the heads of diplomatic representations and presented the priorities of Lithuania’s diplomatic service.

Minister V.Ušackas stressed that even though work had to be done while facing financial challenges, the efficiency of diplomatic service had to be maintained and it had to be ensured that Lithuania remained an active member of the international community.

Minister V.Ušackas emphasized that the Lithuanian people would evaluate the work of Ambassadors and the efficiency of diplomatic service according to two criteria: the contribution of diplomatic service to the tackling of economic challenges and the scope of assistance to Lithuanian citizens abroad.

“We will be able to guarantee the respect of the citizens towards ourselves only when they are sure that diplomats serve the interests of the state of Lithuania and of its own citizens,” head of Lithuanian diplomacy said.

Priorities of the Lithuanian diplomatic service depend on the period of time we are living, therefore, according to Minister V.Ušackas, economic diplomacy, energy security, efficient European policy and the Eastern Neighbourhood Policy will be the main topics of diplomats in the nearest years.

“We have to carry out an active economic diplomacy, which guarantees the development of economic relations with traditional partners and opens the new markets. Within the framework of business clubs, forums and economic consultations we will do everything that we can to protect Lithuania’s business interests,” said head of Lithuanian diplomacy.

According to Minister V.Ušackas, we have to coherently implement the Baltic energy links plan and to create conditions in order to implement the planned links of infrastructure, because the issues of safe, steady and accessible supply of energy are closely interconnected with the revival of country’s economy.

The Lithuanian diplomats have to ensure that Lithuania’s interests are protected while considering and making common EU decisions, stressed Minister V.Ušackas. According to him, we have to continue developing close bilateral relations with influential EU states, future Spanish and Belgium EU Presidencies in 2010, and neighbouring countries: Poland, the Nordic and Baltic States.

In his speech, Minister V.Ušackas expressed determination to continue supporting projects that are implemented by the neighbours in the East and bring these countries closer to the EU standards, to assist Ukraine, Georgia and other NATO aspirants in making practical steps of getting closer to the Alliance.

“One of the most important tasks is to guarantee that the EU and Belarus would make use of the possibilities that are available under to the Eastern Partnership,” Minister V.Ušackas stressed.

Minister of Foreign Affairs dedicated considerable attention to the quality of work of Lithuania’s diplomatic representations, especially highlighting the necessity to improve the quality of consular services for the citizens of Lithuania, that is, to guarantee the speedy provision of high quality and easily accessible services without any unnecessary requirements.