Statement by the Conference of Presidents and the Brexit Steering Group of the European Parliament in preparation of the European Council of 10 April 2019.

On 8 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius participated in the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. The Council exchanged views on the Eastern Partnership. Ministers also discussed the future of the Eastern Partnership and reviewed the implementation of the Eastern Partnership's 20 deliverables for 2020.

The EU rejects the decision taken by the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly to lift Juan Guaidó's parliamentary immunity. This decision constitutes a serious violation of the Venezuelan Constitution, as well as of the rule of law and separation of powers, as the only body authorised to lift the immunity of members of the parliament is the National Assembly. These acts undermine a political way out of the crisis and only lead to further polarisation and escalation of tensions in the country.

UK nationals would be able to enter the EU visa-free for short periods after the country’s exit, provided EU nationals enjoy the same conditions when travelling to the UK.

On March 26-28 a delegations of Members of Parliament of Georgia headed by Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Defence and Security Committee Koba Kobaladze conducted a visit in Lithuania. The guests discussed further cooperation on defence, cyber security and strategic communication at a meeting with Vice Minister of National Defence Vytautas Umbrasas.

On 1 April, an annual meeting of the Nordic-Baltic-Visegrád Four Foreign Ministers took place in Palanga. The Foreign Ministers discussed security issues, preparations for the upcoming meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Washington, D.C., cyber security and hybrid threats, the Eastern Partnership, relations with Russia, Ukraine, and China.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with President Sergio Mattarella in Rome where she arrived on an official reciprocal visit at the invitation of the Italian President.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė offered her congratulations to NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the extension of his mandate.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuanian has been informed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand that from 14 April Lithuanian citizens travelling for tourism purpose will be able to enter Thailand for 30 days without a visa.