BNS: French, Lithuanian formins covered strategic partnership plans
Updated 2009-02-10
VILNIUS, Feb 10, BNS - Lithuanian Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner in Paris discussed prospects for drafting a bilateral declaration of strategic partnership, which would be signed during a visit of the Lithuanian or French head of state or government.It was agreed in Monday's meeting that in the nearest future the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs will team up French experts to pay a visit to Lithuania in February and meet with the heads and experts from the underway Energy Ministry, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Experts from both countries would discuss projects aimed at improving Lithuania's energy security, namely those linking Lithuania's energy system to the European Union (EU) Union for the Co-ordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE), building the energy link between Sweden and the Baltic States and preparation works of constructing the new nuclear power plant.
The Ministers discussed issues of security policy and the future NATO Summit in France and Germany on 3 to 4 of April. peaking on Europe's Eastern Neighborhood policy, the ministers agreed to the need to continue supporting implementation of Euro-integration reforms in Georgia and Ukraine. The ministers also addressed the possibility of inviting Belarus to participate in the EU Eastern Partnership initiative.
It is of key importance to develop efficient and constructive relations with Russia, stimulate respect for international obligations and territorial integrity of neighboring states, the Lithuanian and French foreign ministers underlined when addressing EU-Russia relations.
