Baltic States – CIS, Lithuania

"The past twenty years have seen substantial changes both in Moldova and Lithuania. We have experienced very similar historical losses, went through one of the darkest periods in the history of our nations behind the Soviet iron curtain, survived exiles and other repressions. Therefore, as we now embarked on a new stage in our life, we found mutual understanding and affection arising from this affinity, sharing values and common aspirations," the Minister said.

 The Minister believes that over recent few years, despite the internal political challenges that were finally and successfully overcome, Moldova "energetically, confidently and resolutely steps along the same complicated path to reforms, which was not so long ago covered also by Lithuania".

"I believe that having taken this path Moldova will return to where it has always belonged - to free, united and secure Europe. I also believe that even then Lithuania and Moldova will remain close and reliable partners," Azubalis said.

 He stressed that Lithuania was a trusted partner of Moldova, which fully and wholeheartedly supported the country's EU integration aspirations, and shared its accumulated experience.

According to the Minister, Lithuania thus thanks Moldova that its Supreme Council was the first in the world to courageously recognize Lithuania's restored independence, the Parliament and the Government on 31 May 1990.

 At the event, bilateral relations, historic ties and path to European integration of the states were also discussed by these eminent politicians and scholars from both countries: Vytautas Landsbergis, Chairman of the Supreme Council - Reconstituent Seimas of Lithuania, Mircea Snegur, the first President of Moldova, former Speaker of the Parliament, interim President of Moldova Mihai Ghimpu, historians Nerijus Babinskas, Octavian Bacu, etc.

 Azubalis conferred the award of honour of Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Lithuanian Diplomacy Star - on Ghimpu, Ion Hadarca, Chairman of the Parliamentary Faction of the Liberal Party who presided over the parliamentary session during which Moldova recognized the independence of Lithuania, and Eugen Revenco, Program Director of the Foreign Policy Association of Moldova, reported ELTA/LETA.

 "It is symbolic that the merits of these persons for which they are now awarded have in some sense "crowned" the two decades of bilateral relations of Moldova and Lithuania from the recognition of Lithuania's independence to European aspirations in the 21st century," the Minister said.

 Moldova was the first of all the former Soviet Republics to recognize Lithuania's independence on 31 May 1990. The countries established diplomatic relations on July 8, 1992. Bilateral cooperation is growing and intensifying. Lithuania's active role in shaping EU neighbourhood policy opens up additional opportunities for the development of bilateral relations. Lithuania offers to share with Moldova its accumulated experience of European integration, initiates assistance projects to help Moldova implement the EU-Moldova Action Plan.