News

On June 20 in Riga, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Political Director Vytautas Leškevičius and Political Directors of German and other Baltic Ministries of Foreign Affairs discussed the EU Eastern Partnership policy, energy security in the Baltic Sea region, the situation in Russia and preparations for the transfer of security responsibilities to Afghan authorities.

The aim of the meeting was to prepare for the annual Baltic and German Foreign Ministers’ meeting that is due on August 23.

During the consultations, officials discussed issues related to the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union and the Common Security and Defence Policy. Lithuanian Foreign Vice-Minister spoke about the Afghan and energy security issues.

Leškevičius noted that Russia and Belarus were implementing not transparent nuclear projects in the EU neighbourhood. He requested the EU support to ensure that all nuclear projects were carried out in a transparent manner and in compliance with the highest requirements for environmental safety.

The Political Directors also reviewed the effort of the international community to peacefully solve Iran nuclear programme issue through diplomatic talks.

Prior to the consultations, a bilateral meeting of Political Directors of Lithuanian and Latvian MFAs was held, during which Lithuania’s experience of preparations to hold the Presidency of the EU Council was presented.

On the same day, Leškevičius and representatives of Latvia and Estonia discussed the negotiations on the new EU multiannual financial perspective.