When opening the meeting, Minister Linkevičius stressed that Lithuania and Georgia shared common values, common goals, and common understanding of the challenges facing the region and its objectives. Linkevičius said he believed that Georgia's strategic objectives were powerful and could not be altered by external forces, while the country's ongoing reforms would lead to more security, more economic independence, more freedom and dignity for the people of Georgia. "Our joint goal is to build a European, prosperous, independent Georgia, which would have control over its entire territory."
At the meeting, members of the Lithuanian and Georgian Foreign Ministries' delegations endorsed their commitment to work towards strengthening the bilateral cooperation between Georgia and the EU, seeking to fully implement the Association Agreement and to take greater advantage of the opportunities provided by it. Georgia's Foreign Minister stressed that in implementing the 2014 EU-Georgia Association Agreement, Georgia would seek to improve governance, to build trust between the state and society, to diversify trade relations, and to strengthen links in energy and transport services. Lithuania commits to continue to share its reform experience with Georgian authorities and to provide Georgia with necessary expert assistance in delivering various EU and bilateral projects.
As Georgian citizens look forward to a decision on visa free access to the EU already this year, both countries expressed their satisfaction that the European Commission had excellently assessed the significant progress made by Georgia's authorities in the implementation of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan.
The members of the Lithuanian delegation acknowledged that Georgia's contribution to NATO operations and missions, as well as its broader role in preserving regional security and stability were particularly highly evaluated. Georgia will continue undertaking reforms in the fields of defence and security in order to achieve its goals to join NATO.
"Hopefully, prospects for Georgia's NATO membership will be reconfirmed at the forthcoming NATO Summit in Warsaw," said Lithuania's Foreign Minister.
