Baltic States – CIS, Cooperation, Economics

The President Grybauskaite stressed that it was necessary to maintain mutually-beneficial economic relations between the neighboring countries, especially in the face of the global crisis.

"Misunderstandings between departments result in losses both to Lithuania and Russia. I am convinced that there is enough potential between our countries for the development of economic relations and I invite everyone to solve all problems by the means of an open dialogue," the Lithuanian leader told the President Medvedev on phone.

Grybauskaite also emphasized that Lithuania should not be distinguished from other countries in Russia when applying strict phytosanitary requirements and rules of the inspection of carriers.

According to the Lithuanian head of state, the President Medvedev assured her that strict requirements would not be applied to Lithuania exceptionally.

The two presidents agreed to oblige the departments responsible of their countries to solve problems more actively and constructively as well as to ensure the prevention of similar misunderstandings in the future.

The presidential press service noted that it was the first formal conversation between the leaders of Lithuania and Russia in eight years.

The Lithuanian presidents paid visits to Moscow twice after the restoration of Lithuania's independence – in 1997 and 2001.