News

While continuing his official visit in Ukraine, on 26 December in Kiev Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas met with Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Volodymyr Ohryzko and Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Hryhoriy Nemyria. At the meeting with Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Ohryzko, Minister V.Ušackas had a detailed discussion on the cooperation of the countries in the region. Minister V.Ušackas noted the importance of Ukraine for the policy of the region.

“By following the example of Vilnius Ten group, Ukraine could implement the European Union’s Eastern Partnership initiative, motivate six countries of the partnership and take the leader’s role on itself”, the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy said.

The Ministers also discussed how Ukraine was preparing for the membership in the EU and NATO. While talking about the European and Euro-Atlantic integration, the Ministers noted the importance of constructive and pragmatic relations with Russia.

Minister V.Ušackas also thanked Ukraine for its support and contribution to the Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan’s Province of Ghor. Head of Lithuania’s diplomacy expressed hope that Ukraine would strengthen its participation in the Team, which currently includes 9 representatives from Ukraine’s armed forces.

At the meeting with Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine H.Nemyria, it was agreed to encourage cooperation among cities and regions of Ukraine and Lithuania. Minister V.Ušackas suggested to continue spreading the practice of such partnership. As an example of good practice, he presented the cooperation of Telšiai county and the region of Sumy. Vice Prime Minister H.Nemyria suggested the Crimea as a possible partner for the cooperation with Lithuania, especially in the area of public administration. In this region, according to H.Nemyria, it was very important to spread more information about the EU and its activities.

In Kiev, Minister V.Ušackas also met with the representatives of non-governmental organizations and media. At this meeting, the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy shared Lithuania’s experience in strengthening dialogue with the society on the issues of the EU and NATO membership. It was noted that public support was a precondition for the successful integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, therefore projects that Lithuania supported in Ukraine were highly valued. Such projects include the NATO information centre in Odessa and the Black Sea European studies centre in Simferopol.

Having finished his official visit in Ukraine, on 27 December Minister V.Ušackas is heading for a working visit to Georgia.