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During the visit to Ukraine, the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine A.Deshchytsa, politician Y.Tymoshenko, the Acting President of Ukraine, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada O.Turchynov, businessman R.Akhmetov and the Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine A.Parubiy.

The meetings highlighted the importance of the presidential election that had gone smoothly and in accordance with international norms. “With this presidential election we end the formation of legitimate power in the country”, the Acting President of Ukraine O.Turchynov said. He stressed that the country’s society had clearly and firmly spoken out in favour of European integration during the election.

Nevertheless, the representatives of the Ukrainian authorities are concerned about the remaining tensions in eastern Ukraine. “Ukraine would get separatists in the eastern regions under control easier, if not for Russia’s support and aid to these forces,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister A.Deshchytsa said.

“Kidnapping of observers, threats and other attacks show that it is too soon to speak about an improvement in the situation, as well as it is too early to refute the possibility of sanctions by the international community,” the Minister L.Linkevičius noted.

The Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine A.Parubiy drew attention to the fact that Ukraine’s military helicopter had been shot down over Slovyansk earlier that day only because of the use of the Russian weapons. “Usually such attacks are carried out inside local buildings and the residents are used as human shields,” he said.

The meetings highlighted that it was very important to sign a free trade agreement with the EU as soon as possible and to pursue reforms decisively, while implementing the Association Agreement and preparing for a visa-free regime with the EU.

The Ukrainian representatives thanked the Lithuanian authorities and society for the support of Ukraine. “We have always felt supported by the friendly people so close to us”, the Acting President O.Turchynov said at the beginning of the meeting. “You understand the processes in Ukraine like no one else”, the Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine A.Parubiy acknowledged.

During the conversation with L.Linkevičius, the Governor of Odessa I. Palytsia expressed the wish to benefit from Lithuania’s good experience of European integration in order to avoid making mistakes and to accelerate the reform process.

The Governor stressed that he was interested in increasing the level of Lithuania’s entrepreneurial activity in the region.  “We appreciate skills of Lithuanian entrepreneurs, especially in the fields of trade, logistics, construction and real estate,” I.Palytsia said.