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Lithuania And Germany Strive To Continue Close Cooperation

During the meeting between Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Guido Westerwelle on 2 November in Vilnius, the head of Lithuanian diplomacy highlighted the goal to continue close cooperation of the two countries.

Minister A.Ažubalis thanked for the support that was repeatedly voiced by Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel to Lithuania’s energy and infrastructure projects, first of all to the construction of the Visaginas nuclear power plant. The Minister also encouraged German companies to invest in Lithuania.

The ministers exchanged opinions on relations with Russia. Minister A.Ažubalis said that in the context of the Partnership for Modernization, the European Union and Russia could implement many projects in the Kaliningrad Region. Minister A.Ažubalis invited Germany to join this initiative.

According to Minister A.Ažubalis, Lithuania has consistently supported the facilitation of visa regime for the residents of the Kaliningrad Region. However, according to the Minister, this issue has to be first discussed and agreed upon by all the EU member states, and only then it can be negotiated with the third parties. The same can be said about the amending of the Schengen acquis.

During the meeting in Vilnius, the ministers also discussed relations with Belarus. Minister A.Ažubalis informed Minister G.Westerwelle about the visit of the delegation led by President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė to Minsk on 20 October, during which Lithuania highlighted the necessity to adhere to democratic values and standards and to ensure respect for human rights.

The ministers also discussed the issues of international security. Minister A.Ažubalis acquainted his counterpart with the priorities of the Lithuanian chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2011.
 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
 
 
03.11.2010