Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Lithuania

Jean Asselborn and Linas Linkevicius. Luxembourg, 17.04.2015. Photo: urm.lt

The meeting addressed Luxembourg's readiness to preside over the Council of the European Union since 1 July 2015. It was agreed to maintain bilateral dialogue on various levels regarding relevant issues on the EU agenda.

The ministers discussed cooperation in multilateral formats, including cooperation in the United Nations Security Council. Foreign ministers are invited to attend high-level Security Council's debates on protection of civilians with specific attention on protection of journalists in conflict zones, which will be held in Lithuania in May.

The Lithuanian foreign minister emphasised the significant role that Luxembourg has played in implementing decisions made at the NATO Summit in Wales. Luxembourg has provided financial support for the Baltic Air Policing Mission. Soldiers from Luxembourg attended a military exercise held in Lithuania in November 2014.

According to Linkevicius, cooperation between Lithuania and Luxembourg in the area of defence demonstrates close interaction of NATO partners.

Lithuania's foreign minister also met with Mars Di Bartolomeo, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg. The meeting discussed parliamentary cooperation and highlighted the importance of ratifying EU Association Agreements with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia prior to the upcoming EU Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga.