The Vice-Minister drew particular attention to the ambience at schools where children were abused not only by fellow pupils, but sometimes by the teachers or parents. Pursuant to the statistics provided by the Home Office of the UK, 10 % of the manifestations of hatred are against children.
The Minister of State for Immigration stressed at the meeting that the UK strongly condemned the cases of disrespectful behaviour and would not tolerate xenophobic manifestations. According to Minister R. Goodwill, hospitality and tolerance must continue to be the values followed during the process of the UK leaving the European Union.
Mr Bekešius thanked the Minister for the expressed views of the UK Government on taking actions so that the cases of hatred would not be tolerated.
Mr R. Goodwill stated that the UK appreciates the contribution made by Lithuanian citizens to the economy of the UK because many areas rely on employees that come from the EU states, including Lithuania. The Minister is aware that many excellent employees from Lithuania work in finance, law, medicine, agriculture and other sectors. The Minister also noted at the same time that the situation of the Lithuanian citizens resident in the UK would not change in the near future. EU citizens may continue living and working in the United Kingdom on the same conditions as before for as long as the negotiations for leaving the EU are under way.
The Vice-Minister has conveyed a message to Mr R. Goodwill that Lithuania will seek to strengthen the cooperation with the UK in the areas of defence and foreign policies, and it will continue to closely monitor the situation in connection with the Lithuanian citizens resident in the UK.
On 18 July at 6:30 pm UK time, Vice-Minister M. Bekešius met Lithuanians resident in the UK at the Embassy and discussed the situation after the referendum held on the 23rd June as well as the urgency for dual Lithuanian citizenship and other issues that concern Lithuanians.
