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Ukraine’s strategic role will determine whether the entire Eastern Europe steps on the path of exclusion or integrity, reads the greeting of Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis to the participants of the round table discussion “Ukraine and Lithuania after twenty years: path towards partnership”, which was held in Vilnius on 12 September.

Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Evaldas Ignatavičius gave a speech at the event that was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Ukraine.

“Also the future of neighbouring countries and even the future of entire Europe depends on Ukraine’s ability to resist the undemocratic temptations, on its determination to step on the path of political, economic, and legal reforms and to bind its future with the European Union,” the greeting reads.

According to A.Ažubalis, Lithuania and Ukraine share their experience of life in one country, common historical losses, the Soviet totalitarian oppression and aspirations of freedom that are consolidated by the victory of the independence movement. Therefore, Lithuania aims to revive this historical partnership not only in the political sphere, but also in the economic and cultural dimension.

“Over the twenty years, Lithuania has been a consistent supporter of Ukraine’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures. This summer we and our colleagues from Sweden and Poland initiated a meeting of the Group of Friends of Ukraine in Brussels. We hope and aim that Ukraine will complete the negotiations on the Association Agreement with the EU and sign it before the end of this year,” said the Minister.

According to the Minister, the development of economic relations between Lithuania and the Ukraine is especially accelerated. The project of the shuttle train “Viking” linking the Baltic and the Black Sea is a good example of this.

According to the Minister, the unveiling of a memorial plaque and a monument to the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko in Vilnius also testifies to the cultural partnership of the countries. A Street and a Room at Vilnius University were named after him.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania organized the discussion dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Ukraine in cooperation with the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University.

Lithuania and Ukraine established diplomatic relations on 12 December 1991.