"For the people of Greece, Mariupol and Kharkiv are not just the names of the cities on the map of Ukraine. It is a tragic symbol of brutality and grief - the Greek community there has suffered tragic losses and experienced barbaric atrocities, as well as all around Ukraine. The international community must continue to exert maximum pressure on Russia and its supporters - Belarus, Iran, and other authoritarian regimes, sending a clear message that the crimes of war and aggression, as well as aid to the aggressor, will receive a response," Landsbergis said after a meeting with the chief of the Greek diplomacy.
The meeting in Athens focused on issues concerning bilateral cooperation and the strengthening of European energy security and nuclear security not only in Ukraine but also on the Lithuanian border. The Foreign Ministers also discussed the situation in the neighbourhood of the European Union, regional security issues, and other items on the EU and international agendas.
Landsbergis also presented the initiative of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania calling on the EU, together with international partners, to establish a Special Tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression and so to fill in the legal loophole, thus ensuring Russia's accountability for aggression against Ukraine and atrocities committed there.
"For centuries, the spirit of fighting for freedom has been uniting Greece and Lithuania and strengthens a common European response to authoritarian regimes today. A Special Tribunal could become a pillar of the rules-based world order, as well as a deterrent to other regimes with revisionist aims," Landsbergis said.
The head of Lithuania's diplomacy also held a meeting with the Chairman of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament, Konstantinos Gioulekas. They discussed closer bilateral cooperation between the Greek and Lithuanian parliaments and agreed on joint consultations on international security issues.
On 20 October, Landsbergis is visiting Athens, Greece, at the invitation of the Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.
Tonight, Landsbergis will take part in a round table discussion with Greek foreign policy experts.
This year, Lithuania and Greece celebrate the 100th anniversary of their mutual recognition and the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations.
