The Lithuanian and Belarusian Foreign Ministers welcomed the economic cooperation of the two countries, discussed issues relating to the provision of consular services and the development of border crossing-points. L.Linkevičius stressed that Lithuania had completed all the necessary procedures for its travel arrangements with Belarus for people living in the border area long time ago and, once again, called on Belarus to immediately solve this issue.
During the meeting, L.Linkevičius also drew attention to the necessity for compliance with requirements in International Conventions on Nuclear Safety. He urged Belarus to submit answers to Lithuania's questions about safety of the Ostrovets nuclear power plant that was under construction in Belarus.
When speaking about the EU-Belarus relations, the Foreign Ministers highlighted the ongoing negotiations between the EU and Belarus on visa facilitation and readmission agreements. Significant attention was given to the participation of Belarus in the Eastern Partnership programme and its prospects for the implementation of objectives set out at the Vilnius Summit in the run-up to the Riga Summit in 2015.
L.Linkevičius welcomed the release from prison of the famous human rights defender Ales Beliatski and underlined that release and rehabilitation of all the remaining political prisoners would open the door to a political dialogue between the EU and Belarus. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister also stressed that Lithuania appreciated the consistent position of Belarus on the non-recognition of the annexation of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Crimea.
The Foreign Ministers also exchanged their opinions on the situation in Ukraine, stressing the need to resolve the conflict in the country and to fully respect the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The meeting with the Prime Minister of Belarus focused on economic relations between the two countries, especially in the areas of transit and logistics. The officials discussed preparations for the 10th Jubilee Lithuania-Belarus Business Forum to be held this autumn in Mogilev, Lithuania's business interests in Belarus and those of Belarusian entrepreneurs in Lithuania.
The Lithuanian Foreign Minister met with representatives of civil society in Belarus and relatives of political prisoners to assure them that Lithuania and the EU as a whole had consistently supported the implementation of democratic reforms ensuring human rights and strengthening civil society in Belarus.
