During the bilateral meeting with his Slovak counterpart, Linkevičius put major focus on security issues, also cooperation with Visegrad countries. The ministers discussed what EU’s policy towards Russia should be, noted the importance of adhering to the Minsk agreements, the implementation of the EU’s Eastern Partnership policy, and migration issues.
According to Mr. Linkevičius, in view of the current geopolitical security challenges, we must implement consistent policies and be ready to respond to them on a coordinated and timely basis, also remember our obligations which will in the future help us find proper solutions to deal with the crises.
At the meeting with Igor Crnadak, Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Minister Linkevičius discussed the issues concerning the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the country, also security and closer bilateral economic cooperation. The Lithuanian foreign minister said Lithuania supported Euro-Atlantic integration goals of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which came into force a year ago, and the application for membership in the EU, which was submitted two months ago, are an important step forward for a country which was shaken by war two decades ago. The progress which has been achieved in implementing important reforms shows the strong will and the joint efforts of the leaders and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and this alliance should continue”, Mr. Linkevičius said. The Lithuanian foreign minister suggested that Bosnia and Herzegovina could make use of Lithuania’s experience in implementing EU integration reforms and noted that Lithuania was among the most active participants in implementing EU twinning programmes in the Western Balkan countries.
During the meeting with the former US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, Minister Linkevičius discussed security challenges of the transatlantic community and remembered the establishment of the NATO-Russia Council, to which Ms. Albright has contributed. She noted that the purpose of the NATO-Russian framework agreement, which was signed nearly twenty years ago, was strengthening the transparent cooperation between the two parties; however, the agreement had been breached by the Russian side.
Ms. Albright said she was closely watching the security situation in Europe and the Baltic States and often discussed the topic with her students from the Georgetown University where she currently serves as a professor.
Mr. Linkevičius invited Ms. Albright to visit Lithuania in September this year when Lithuania will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of restoring its diplomatic relations with the USA and other countries. Ms. Albright warmly remembered her involvement in a number of Lithuania’s initiatives and events and said she would consider the invitation.
The GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum has become a traditional Central European debate platform to discuss strategic topics of foreign policy, economy and security.
