News

On 19 December, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Vygaudas Ušackas received Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Lithuania Vladimir Chkhikvadze. Minister V.Ušackas and the Russian Ambassador discussed forthcoming 515th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. On 5 February 1494, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania became the first state in Europe, which established relations with the Duchy of Moscow.

Minister V.Ušackas indicated that in its relations with Russia, Lithuania will seek a constructively principled cooperation, will develop mutually beneficial economic and cultural exchange, and will also seek a dialogue, based on democratic values and justice.

“Lithuania will dedicate particular attention to the Kaliningrad Region and will stimulate openness of this region as well as its cooperation with the European Union, especially during Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States in 2009,” said Minister V. Ušackas.

Russian Ambassador V.Chkhikvadze was positive about Lithuania’s initiative regarding visa regime facilitation for the residents of the Kaliningrad Region and regarding the promotion of relations between Lithuania and Kaliningrad.

During the conversation, the interlocutors discussed an invitation of Vice-Premier of the Kaliningrad Region Yuri Shalimov to organise a meeting of representatives from Lithuania and Kaliningrad Region in the nearest future. Further legal cooperation would be discussed during this meeting.

The Russian Ambassador assured that Russia was interested to develop relations with Lithuania, based on principles of mutual respect and with regard to the interests of both countries. This is also indicated in a letter of congratulations of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov to Lithuanian Foreign Minister.