The two Foreign Ministers expressed their regret following the vote for Brexit, stressing the UK’s importance both for their bilateral relations and cooperation within the European Union. The Lithuanian and Irish Foreign Ministers expressed hope that the United Kingdom would remain a strong and important partner of the European Union also in the future.
The Foreign Ministers drew attention to the large communities of their citizens living in the United Kingdom. “Ensuring the rights of Lithuanian citizens will be one of the most important issues in negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the EU,” said Linkevičius.
The two Foreign Ministers unanimously agreed that at this stage the remaining 27 member states of the European Union had to keep their unity within the EU. “Today, more than ever before, we must present a united front at the discussions that are taking place after the UK’s EU referendum. We have to be more focused and work together to step up the European Union, to bring the EU closer to the citizens, and to ensure the effectiveness of the EU,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.
According to the Irish Foreign Minister, Ireland has enjoyed close historical ties with the United Kingdom, including cooperation in the fields of politics, business, economy, and culture, which now face additional challenges, because Britain has voted to exit the European Union.
