Lithuania’s Foreign Minister A.Ažubalis and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Kostyantyn Gryshchenko spoke about an intensive agenda of the meetings at the highest political level between Lithuania and Ukraine, the preparation for the visit of President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych to Lithuania and the Ukrainian business forum that will take place during this visit. The signing of guidelines for the development of a strategic partnership for 2011 is scheduled during this visit.
The Ministers exchanged opinions on Ukraine’s integration into the European Union and the progress of preparation for the Ukraine-EU summit. Minister A.Ažubalis affirmed consistent support of the Government of Lithuania for Ukraine’s European integration aspirations and called on Ukraine to seriously focus on negotiations regarding the Free Trade Agreement with the EU, because its entry into force would have a long-term positive effect on Ukraine’s economy.

Minister A.Ažubalis also drew Ukrainian Foreign Minister’s attention to the importance of the preservation of democratic values and expressed expectations that the local elections in the end of October in Ukraine would meet requirements of the international community.

Issues of further strengthening of bilateral cooperation, the Middle East Peace Process and the ongoing direct negotiations were discussed at the meeting with Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman.

Minister A.Ažubalis drew Minister A.Liberman’s attention to the importance of extending the moratorium on new settlement construction. The Ministers expressed gladness over the especially rapid development of relations between Lithuania and Israel in recent years. When Minister A.Ažubalis highlighted old historical ties and a great tourism potential of Lithuania, Minister A.Liberman agreed that despite the difficult current conditions of communication, visits of Israel’s tour operators to Lithuania could be considered in the future.

Minister A.Ažubalis talked with head of Afghanistan’s diplomacy Zalmai Rassoul about the upcoming 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Afghanistan. According to Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the country is interested in developing close cooperation with Afghanistan. The Minister invited Minister Z.Rassoul to contribute to the strengthening of cooperation.

The Ministers discussed the parliamentary elections that were held in Afghanistan. In Minister Z.Rassoul’s estimation, the elections were quite successful and the Government of Afghanistan in active cooperation with international partners, such as NATO, is now preparing to assume full responsibility for the governance of Afghanistan.

Minister A.Ažubalis assured Minister Z.Rassoul that Lithuania would remain Afghanistan’s reliable partner, and invited him to attend the conference in Vilnius this autumn. The forum will be dedicated to the development cooperation activities and the strengthening of administrative capacities in Afghanistan.

Minister A.Ažubalis also spoke about Afghanistan’s development with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Marty M. Natalegawa. Head of Lithuania’s diplomacy invited Indonesia to take part in reconstructing Afghanistan’s Ghor province, where the Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team is operating.

Minister A.Ažubalis also invited Minister M.Natalegawa to come to Lithuania. The Ministers agreed that during the possible visit of Indonesia’s Foreign Minister to Lithuania, major attention would be given to the strengthening of economic cooperation and bilateral business relations. Minister M.Natalegawa invited Minister A.Ažubalis to the Bali Democracy Forum that will be held in Indonesia.