“Denmark is one of the closest and most trusted partners of Lithuania within NATO and the EU. The country has politically and practically supported Lithuania’s goal of becoming a member of these organizations since the restoration of Lithuania’s independence. We welcome the positive dynamics in our bilateral relations”, said Linkevičius.
The meeting discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation, regional security, the EU and NATO, energy security, the Eastern Partnership, and situations in Russia and Ukraine.
Lithuania and Denmark are congenial partners that agree on many items on the EU agenda. It was namely at the Copenhagen European Council meeting 15 years ago that Lithuania completed its negotiations and was invited to become a member of the European Union on 13 December 2002.
As regards the future of Europe and the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU, the two Foreign Ministers agreed that the EU needed unity. Denmark also wishes Lithuania to support the bid for Copenhagen to host the European Medicines Agency once it leaves London due to the Brexit.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister thanked Denmark for its significant contribution to the security of the Baltic states and stressed the importance of continuing to promote cooperation in the field of security and in preventing cyber and hybrid threats, as well as in fostering the internal resilience of the EU to these threats. It is also relevant to strengthen transatlantic cooperation and solidarity, and the partnership between the EU and NATO when addressing these issues.
Linkevičius drew the attention to the threat posed by the Ostrovets NPP to the region and stressed that Denmark’s position on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was very important for Lithuania. Linkevičius also emphasized that the international community had to adhere to a firm and united position towards Russia and that sanctions against Russia should be kept in place until the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.
