Lithuania has always supported Ukraine and will continue to do so in the future
Earlier today, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has met with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to discuss prospects for bilateral cooperation. The Foreign Ministers of the two countries have also joined the meeting.
The Prime Minister has reiterated that Lithuania has been firmly and consistently supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s aggression, and Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations, and that it stands ready to continue sharing experience and expertise as Ukraine carries on with reforms.
‘Lithuania has always supported Ukraine’s efforts to reform the country and will continue to do so, though we well understand that this is not an easy path, particularly in the face of the relentless external aggression’, said the Prime Minister, noting that judiciary reforms and fight against corruption remain a key priority.
On Ukraine's European aspirations, the importance of closer cooperation and coordination between the three associated partners, Ukraine, Sakartvelo and Moldova, has been pointed out.
The parties have discussed NATO’s partnership with Ukraine and Ukraine’s contribution to the Euro-Atlantic security.
‘Lithuania supports Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, and NATO's open-door policy is particularly important for the security of the whole of Europe’, said the Prime Minister.
On the bilateral economic relations, the parties have noted that there is still room for improvement not only in the traditional but also in innovative sectors of the economy. Lithuanian business is particularly interested in taking further relations with Ukraine.
The counterparts have also touched upon the deteriorating situation in Belarus and A. Lukashenko’s hybrid aggression waged against Lithuania.
‘Lithuania has become a target for Lukashenko’s hybrid war where Lukoshenko has weaponised the illegal migration. The decision to suspend the readmission agreement with the EU only confirms the involvement of the Lukashenko regime in criminal organised migrant smuggling schemes. Such actions pose threats to the security of the entire region. What we need to do together, is increase costs for this criminal activity’, said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister has thanked Ukraine for the decisions made by Rada and Ukraine’s State Regulatory Commission for Energy and Utilities to curb electricity imports from Russia and Belarus.
Ingrida Šimonytė has expressed hope that this decision will be long-lasting and underlined that through solidarity shown in this respect, we will undermine Belarusian regime’s schemes to profit from the unsafe NPP, and we will also bring down Russia’s influence in the region.
This has been the first visit by Denys Shmyhal to Lithuania.