Tag: Linas Linkevičius

May 23, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On 23rd of May Dalia Grybauskaitė, Lithuanian President, talked on the phone with the David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, about issues of Ukraine. Dalia Grybauskaitė stressed that core condition for restoring peace and stability in a country is a democratic elections and that European Union has a duty to help Ukraine in coping with economical challenges (Lithuanian President Press Service). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/68361/lithuanian-president-british-pm-discuss-regional-security-issues-201468361/.

On 22nd of May Linas Linkevičius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, in an interview to Deutsche Welle said that ‘Russian troops must be withdrawn from Ukrainian border because their presence creates additional tension, which is already high.’ Also he hopes that Ukrainian President elections will not be spoilt by these intruders from the outside – by intervention from a neighboring country. Read more in Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: http://urm.lt/default/en/news/dw-russia-has-violated-all-possible-treaties-1/.

On 23rd of May in European’s week discussion professor Benediktas Juodka, Chairman of Lithuanian Parliament Committee of Foreign Affairs, said that he has no doubts, that Associations agreement will be signed with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and then ratification process will start. (Lithuanian Parliament Press Office, BNS)

On 22-23 of May Šarūnas Adomavičius, Director of Transatlantic Cooperation and Security Policy Department In Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the informal European Union Security Policy Directors (SPD) meeting. He emphasized in the meeting that European Union has to react unitedly to situation in Ukraine and Russian politics related with that (Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs information)

On 22nd of May The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved three new projects for Ukraine amounting to US$1.48 billion. This new financing will be reinforced by technical assistance and policy dialogue to help drive forward the essential structural and macroeconomic reforms (delfi.lt, 15min.lt). Read more in World Bank website: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2014/05/22/world-bank-boosts-support-for-recovery-in-ukraine.

May 15, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On 15th of May, Alexander Lukashenko, Belarusian President, met with Mikhail Yezhel, Ukraine’s Ambassador in Belarus. During the meeting Belarusian President said that ‘he wishes that the Ukraine crisis ended as soon as possible and that there was no need to pull Ukraine in any blocs or bring troops there from any side.’ (delfi.lt, lrytas.lt)

Marius Laurinavičius, analyst of Eastern Europe Studies Center, in his commentary in IQ journal said that ‘Russia is determined to target weak states such as Ukraine firstly, because in these countries it is easy to split up society according to plans form directors of Moscow and also that they hoped to win without any help from army.’ (IQ journal)

On 15th of May Linas Linkevičius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in global security forum GLOBSEC and stressed the need to ensure independent elections of Ukrainian President in order to stabilise situation in Ukraine.The representatives of the states also agreed to continue to strengthen and coordinate a response to Russian aggression, annexation of Crimea and continuous subversion activities in Eastern Ukraine. (Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs information, ELTA, 15min.lt)

May 3, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė expressed her condolences to Ukrainian people over the tragic events in Odessa. She said that ‘all sides must join efforts to stabilise the situation.’ (Press Service of the President, BNS)

Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed his personal condolences over the tragic situation in Odessa. He hopes that it will spread unity rather than anger in the strong community of Odessa. (Twitter)

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski thinks that destabilization of situation in Ukraine leads to a new cold war between West and Russia. He also does not reject the probability that Russia wants to occupy Eastern Ukraine in exactly the same way as a Crimea. (15min.lt)

April 29, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On April 29 European Commission adopted a special support package for Ukraine worth 365 million euros. This package will help country’s transition and boost the role of civil society, promoting and monitoring democratic reforms and inclusive socio-economic development in Ukraine. Štefan Füle, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy, stated: ‘The EU is not only closely watching events in Ukraine and expressing its readiness to support it, but is also delivering in deeds. With today’s assistance package we are encouraging and supporting the Ukrainian authorities to continue with reforms and in the process of inclusive national development. This package will also support the European Agenda for Reform, recently discussed with the Ukrainian authorities.‘ (EU Press Release, vz.lt). Read more here: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-501_en.htm.

Lithuanian Military Intelligence on April 29 published her Annual Performance Report. In the Report is said that ‘conventional warfare probability in the Baltic Sea region is still fairly low’ (BNS, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67420/risk-of-war-in-baltic-sea-region-fairly-low-lithuanian-military-intelligence-201467420/.

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius on April 29 met with United States Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss issues related with better coordination of sanctions and other pressure instruments achieving the de-escalation of Ukrainian crisis. (delfi.lt)

The delegation of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry led by the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrius Krivas and representatives of Estonian and Latvian Foreign Ministries discussed the security situation in the region and relations with Ukraine and Russia on April 28 in Tallinn. The officials agreed to continue maintaining a strong position on non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea and seeking to reduce tensions in eastern Ukraine. Read more in Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: http://urm.lt/default/en/news/trilateral-political-consultations-with-estonia-and-latvia-discuss-support-for-ukraine-and-collective-security-issues.

The group of sports enthusiasts from Lithuania participated in international Kiev marathon on April 27. They ran various length distances thus expressing their support for united Ukraine. (Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Kiev information)

April 27-28, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius stressed the need for solidarity in solving Ukraine’s conflict at the Sedona Forum in the United States (lrytas.lt). Read more in Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.urm.lt/default/en/news/lithuanian-foreign-minister-stresses-the-need-for-solidarity-in-solving-ukraines-conflict-at-the-sedona-forum-in-the-united-states.

Today, the leader of opposition of Lithuanian Parliament Andrius Kubilius at press conference said that ‘the fairest civilized EU response to Vladimir Putin’s barbaric aggression in Ukraine would be Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia memberships’ perspective in European Union’. He also said: ‘We have to be grateful for Ukrainian people and current Ukrainian Government, because while they are quietly suffering Russia’s aggression, they manage to remain stoic and civilized at the same time letting the world see the real face of Putin’s regime’. (BNS)

Today, Deputy Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament, Gediminas Kirkilas during Holocaust Remembrance Day’s speech said that ‘the memory of Holocaust has to become the sole motive for us aiming for peace, democracy and security in all Europe and assuring that neither another World War or massacre will become a reality, especially today while prevailing international circumstances in Eastern Europe contribute to an up-rise of Right-wing extremism and Neonacizm’. (BNS, lrytas.lt, Lithuanian Parliament Press Office, unofficial translation)

On April 27 in Vilnius Town Hall Lithuanian movement ‘For democracy.Ukraine’ received ‘The Life Prize’ for organizing Ukrainian support actions and protests against Russian aggression and their help organizing special medical mission to Maidan in Kiev. (bernadinai.lt)

On April 27 Vilnius Conservatives in Vilnius Town Hall Square organized support action for Ukrainian freedom and integrity. Photos from the event, click on a link below: http://on.fb.me/1fqvKsN.

April 23, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė as well as the Presidents of other 8 EU and Eastern Partnership states will participate in the anniversary event  marking 5 years of Eastern Partnership on April 24 held in Prague. Sweden Deputy Prime Minister, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and European Commissioner Štefan Füle will also participate in the event. During this summit Leaders of EU and Eastern Partnership states are going to discuss how to ensure further Eastern Partnership Program continuity and efficiency considering newly emerging challenges for a region safety and stability. (Press Service of the President, unofficial translation)

On April 23 Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius  informed Lithuanian Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee members about four-party negotiations between EU, USA, Ukraine and Russia held in Geneva. Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67078/lithuanias-formin-hard-to-talk-about-pursuance-of-geneva-agreements-201467078/.

After meeting with Ukrainian Minister of National Defence Colonel General Mikhail Koval Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas stated that ‘Ukraine supports joint military brigade with Lithuania and Poland’. During the interview with Lithuanian National Radio journalist Agnė Skamarakaitė he also said that ‘Lithuania is in close cooperation with Ukraine even without any resolutions’. (BNS, bernardinai.lt, Lithuanian National Radio, Lithuania Tribune). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67051/olekas-ukraine-supports-joint-military-brigade-with-lithuania-poland-201467051/.

Today European Union opened its markets for Ukrainian commodities by applying one-side duty concessions. Reduced or completely eliminated Ukrainian commodities import to EU tariffs will be valid till this year November 1st or until the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine will be signed. (BNS, 15 min, delfi.lt, vz.lt)

On April 23 Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Ministry diplomats met with students from Lviv University in Vilnius. Diplomats presented the most important Eastern Partnership accents, Lithuania’s experience while integrating into European Union, experience in United Nations Security Council. Students and diplomats also discussed Lithuanian relations with her neighbors. Meeting initiator – nongovernmental organization ‘European Choice’. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs information, unofficial translation)

On April 29 the exhibition Frumušika Nova 2010 / 2014 dedicated to Ukrainian democracy support will be opened in Vilnius St. Johns street gallery. St. Johns street gallery brought together artists, who participated in plain-air Magnus Ducatus Artis – Frumušika Nova held in Ukraine in 2010. Staff of gallery encouraged artists to remember 2010 plein-air and ideas that were born during it. This exhibition is the first time the canvas by painters Linas Liandzbergis, Audrius Gražys and photos of photographers Arturas Valiauga, Vladas Braziūnas, Alis Balbierius created during the plain-air will be presented publicly. (BNS)