At the invitation of the Lithuanian party, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva held working consultations in Vilnius with Chief Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of the Republic of Lithuania Asta Skaisgirytė.
Ihor Zhovkva and Asta Skaisgirytė noted the common commitment to maintain the high dynamics of bilateral political dialogue despite the existing restrictions due to countering the spread of COVID-19.
The interlocutors discussed the measures taken in Ukraine and Lithuania in the context of overcoming the second wave of COVID-19 and ensuring the vaccination of citizens with quality certified vaccines. In this regard, the Deputy Head of the Office of the President praised the initiative of the Lithuanian party to transfer to Ukraine a certain number of vaccines against COVID-19 (free of charge) after the formation of the relevant remainders in Lithuania.
"I would also like to thank Lithuania for its leadership in raising the issue within the European Union regarding the provision of access to COVID-19 vaccine to partner countries. The creation of such a mechanism for the transfer of the vaccine from the EU is a powerful signal of solidarity with Ukraine," Ihor Zhovkva stressed.
The Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine informed the interlocutor in detail of the current security situation in the east of our country, as well as of the steps taken by Ukraine within the Normandy format and TCG to ensure lasting peace and full implementation of the Minsk agreements.
He thanked the Republic of Lithuania for its firm support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as well as for its continued support for the EU's sanctions policy against Russia.
Ihor Zhovkva especially thanked the Republic of Lithuania for its solidarity in the issue of countering the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 geopolitical project, which poses a threat to European energy security: "We must continue to work together to prevent the completion of this project, which is, in fact, a trap for the whole of Europe”.
The talks focused on the preparation of the next meeting of the Council of Presidents of Ukraine and the Republic of Lithuania, which is scheduled for this month during the visit of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda to Ukraine.
The interlocutors discussed the content of the meeting of the Council of Presidents and coordinated positions on the list of bilateral documents that are planned to be signed based on its results.
The parties underscored the need to continue the proper preparation of an important event - the 4th Conference on Reforms in Ukraine, which is to take place this year in Vilnius with the participation of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Gitanas Nausėda.
"We are waiting for a specific date of the Conference, it is necessary for further joint steps to prepare for this event," Ihor Zhovkva emphasized.
He reminded that in August 2021, as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, a large-scale event will be held - the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform, to which world leaders are invited, including Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda. The Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine informed Asta Skaisgirytė of the main elements of the Crimean Platform initiative and Ukraine's expectations from the summit.
At the end of the negotiations, the interlocutors stated that such an ambitious bilateral agenda fully corresponds to the high dynamics of bilateral relations, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of which Ukraine and Lithuania will jointly celebrate in December this year.
During the visit, Ihor Zhovkva also met with the first Speaker of the Seimas of independent Lithuania after its secession from the USSR, Professor Vytautas Landsbergis. During the meeting, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the interlocutors exchanged views on a number of topical issues of the international agenda. Taking this unique opportunity, Ihor Zhovkva sincerely congratulated Vytautas Landsbergis on the 31st anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania's independence, which will be celebrated on March 11 this year.
During the visit, Ihor Zhovkva also gave an interview to the Lithuanian branch of the leading Baltic news agency (Baltic News Service) (BNS).