“Lithuania and Sweden are enjoying their trusted partnership, as well as their close, friendly and dynamic bilateral relationship. Sweden is an important partner of Lithuania in the region. The country will serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2017-2018 period. We think alike, so we will cooperate actively to address many challenges facing our region and issues, which are important for the international community. We are ready to share the experience that was gained by Lithuania during its membership of the UN Security Council in 2014-2015,” said Linkevičius.
The interlocutors also discussed the strengthening of cooperation in the economic, energy security, regional security, defence and other areas. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister expressed his gladness that, for many years, Sweden had been the largest foreign investor, the bilateral trade was growing – Sweden was Lithuania’s eighth biggest trading partner – and there was a promising potential for further economic cooperation. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister drew attention to the alarming concerns over the construction of the Astravets nuclear power plant in Belarus, as well as over the negative impact of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project on the EU’s energy security.
Linkevičius and the Ambassador discussed international threats, the situation in Turkey, relations with Russia and the situation in Ukraine. He also underlined the importance of maintaining the EU’s unified stance towards Russia and of providing aid to Ukraine. Linkevičius welcomed the implementation of a joint Lithuanian-Swedish project, which aimed to provide support to schools in eastern Ukraine. On 10 October, a group of schoolchildren visited Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry, where they met with Linkevičius and the Ambassador of Sweden.
The new Swedish Ambassador to Lithuania Maria Christina Lundqvist presented her letters of credence to the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė on 6 October.
