Other events in Baltic States

The Government of Lithuania has approved the Foreign Ministry's proposal to award the first president of the Russian Federation, Boris Yeltsin, with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Vytis (post mortem), reports LETA/ELTA.

The decision was made after taking into account the extraordinary merits of Yeltsin to establishing and developing the foundations of the relations between Lithuania and Russia, his long-term support for the restoration and promotion of Lithuania's independence. In 1991, President Yeltsin signed the Treaty on Basic Principles of Interstate Relations between the RSFSR and the Republic of Lithuania. In 1992, Yeltsin signed a joint bilateral communique on the withdrawal of the Soviet armed forces from Lithuania and other important bilateral agreements.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Treaty on Basic Principles of Interstate Relations between the RSFSR and the Republic of Lithuania and diplomatic relations with Russia.

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius will submit the resolution on Yeltsin's award to President Dalia Grybauskaite. State awards in Lithuania are conferred by a presidential decree.