Georgian Foreign Minister visits Lithuania
By Keti Arjevanidze
Monday, January 14
Maia Panjikidze, Georgia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the republic of Lithuania on January 10-12. The President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaite hosted the Georgian Minister.
Meetings were also held with the Prime-Minister of Lithuania, Algirdas Butkevicius, Vydas Gedvilas, the chairperson of the Lithuanian Parliament and Linas Antanas Linkevicius, the Foreign Affairs Minister.
The current situation in Georgia, future collaboration between Georgia and the Republic of Lithuania and the prospects for further development, were among the subjects of discussion between the Georgian and Lithuanian representatives. Georgia’s cooperation with Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures were also discussed.
“Lithuania is our partner and supports the course Georgia has taken in foreign affairs,” said Panjikidze. The two Foreign Ministers signed the Lithuania-Georgia Commission action plan for 2013 in the framework of the charter between Georgia and Lithuania and the EU. “This is a unique phenomenon; we do not have such a relationship with many countries,” Panjikidze admitted.
According to the Georgian Minister, Lithuania will continue supporting Georgia’s integration with the EU and NATO.
According to the Foreign Affairs Minister of Lithuania, part of Lithuania's political strategy is to support Georgia in the spheres which Georgia considers important on the way to Euro-Atlantic integration.
Linkevicius promised that they will intensively and regularly work on these issues. “We have worked out the frames of regular collaboration." said Linkevicius.
Panjikidze also discussed the issues that surround Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration process and South Caucasian security with her European partners.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia also gave a speech in the European Club of Lithuania. She commented on the topic of Georgia’s foreign politics after the elections.
“I see the current reform in Georgia, cohabitation in the country is going well; for every country it is important to have a good opposition and strong cooperation with them, “said Petras Austrevicius, the President of European Club in Lithuania.
