"Lithuania has always been enjoying German support for its efforts to join the European Union and afterwards. Thanks to this support, many projects important for Lithuania are advancing. I am happy to be able to state that Germany continues to demonstrate understanding of the concerns of our country and the whole Baltic region and to support Lithuania in any area," President Dalia Grybauskaitė said.

According to the President, successful development of the Baltic Sea region will not be possible unless energy dependence of the Baltic countries is eliminated, which calls for higher European support and attention for strategic energy and transport projects in Lithuania and other Baltic states.

Talking about the development of the EU's relations with its Eastern neighbours, President Dalia Grybauskaitė and Chancellor Angela Merkel underlined that Lithuania and Germany favoured a consistent and constructive dialogue between the EU and Russia and supported the EU's Eastern Neighbourhood Policy covering relations with Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

The President and the Chancellor also discussed bilateral cooperation within NATO.

"Germany is one of Lithuania's major allies within NATO. We strongly appreciate Germany's support for Lithuania as we seek for NATO defence plans. I am also glad that cargo transportation from Germany and other countries for the international mission in Afghanistan now takes the route through the Klaipėda Seaport," President Dalia Grybauskaitė said.

According to the President, Lithuania's close and constructive relations with Germany will gain a new impetus during Lithuania's Presidency of the OSCE and the European Union.

Later in the day, the President will host an official working dinner, in which the President and the Chancellor will be joined by Lithuania's Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius and Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis.