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Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Linas Linkevicius. Vilnius, 16.04.2015. Photo: urm.lt

"We want more Germany in Lithuania: we want more investment, business, culture and in fighting against security challenges. Today we have agreed on a joint plan of action regarding intensified cooperation aimed at supporting media, implementation of public education projects and fostering closer ties among our civil societies. The projects include Lithuanian-German Forum, scientific and research centres, NGOs and youth exchange. Germany plays a very important role in implementation of decisions of the NATO Summit in Wales," Lithuania's foreign minister noted.

"German fighters have been on duty in the Baltic Air Policing mission at Siauliai Air Base five times already. This year, Germany will send its contingent again to take part in the exercise in Lithuania. Germany's contribution to the security of NATO members and the region is very significant and it sets an excellent example of the Alliance solidarity," said Lithuania's foreign minister.

Linkevicius underlined that in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the EU had to unanimously and consistently adhere to the agreed sanctions policy, which must continue to be clearly linked to the complete fulfilment of the Minsk agreements.

"Our actions have to be robust in order to stop Russian aggression in Ukraine. Pressure should continue until the Minsk Agreements are fulfilled. Together we need to help Ukraine strengthen its economy, make reforms and get closer to the EU," said Lithuania's foreign minister.

German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is on a visit to Lithuania promised tighter cooperation in the areas of education, culture and media. According to the minister, Russia's propaganda should be coped with not by imposing bans but by creating diverse media.

The German minister emphasised that it would be undemocratic for Europe to respond to Russia's disinformation by propaganda. He says media in the European Union must be diverse and supported by official institutions. According to Steinmeier, the German and Lithuanian Governments have been coordinating joint measures for several weeks now. Implementation of these measures would enable media representatives of the two countries to cooperate, carry out internships abroad and prepare comprehensive media content.

According to Steinmeier, Russia's propaganda campaign is not as effective in Germany as it is in the Baltic States because the audience for the Russian media is not as big. He says that in eastern Germany many people can still speak the Russian language and thus face Russian propaganda. However Germany's audience is not the one that might be affected by it.

The foreign ministers discussed not only the development of independent and objective media but also the initiatives to enhance civil society in Lithuania.

The foreign ministers have also discussed the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga, Lithuanian Presidency of the UN Security Council.