News

On 11 February starting an official visit to Berlin, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas took part in the reception dedicated to the Day of Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania and on 12 February he gave a speech at the German Society for Foreign Policy. In his speech “Challenges of the European Union's Foreign Policy”, V.Ušackas indicated that an answer to today’s global challenges – threats raised by regional conflicts, financial crises, climate change, energy security and value erosion – was strengthening transatlantic relations and the EU solidarity, creation of securer and more predictable neighbourhood.

“Berlin, as no other European city, embodies the importance of these elements for the security of Europe,” said head of the Lithuanian diplomacy.

V.Ušackas stressed that while the 60th anniversary of NATO was approaching, it was important to safeguard durable transatlantic ties, which had guaranteed a long-term security and stability to Europe.

“Thanks to the partnership between the U.S.A. and Europe we can reach goals, which we would not be able to reach separately,” said V.Ušackas.

The Minister assessed positively the words, which were spoken by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden the previous week in Munich that the new U.S. administration was prepared for an open dialogue and partnership with Europe. V.Ušackas emphasized that he understood also the wish of the U.S. for the EU to also take up bigger obligations in solving global challenges. Therefore, according to him, the EU has to be strong, united and speak in one voice.

As one of the most important and paramount tasks, the Minister named the necessity to coordinate multilateral actions, while countries are seeking to recover after the financial crisis and to put the world back on the track of economy growth.

“A long-term EU Enlargement strategy has to be based on the experience of their previous success and to seek completing to create the internal EU market, to continue expanding the economy and monetary union and to develop free trade,” said the Minister.

The Minister expressed belief that while facing present economic challenges, states would not be seduced to shrink into themselves and would avoid new manifestations of protectionism.

“Strengthening principles of free market not only will allow us to come out of the crisis more quickly, but will set a good example for our neighbours in the East that drawing closer to the EU is the right choice for them,” said V.Ušackas.

The Minister encouraged Georgia and Ukraine, and other countries that are seeking closer cooperation with the EU, to implement the necessary administrative and economic reforms, and to make use of the possibilities of the Eastern partnership initiative.

On 11 February, the Minister took part in the reception, dedicated to the Day of Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania at the Representation of Land Hesse to the Federation in Berlin. Official representatives of Germany, diplomats and members of the Lithuanian community, as well as the Lithuanians who came to Berlinale festival, took part in the reception.