English

Lithuanian ambassador speaks in favor of all-round cooperation with Belarus

 

The new Lithuanian ambassador to Belarus, Linas Linkevicius, who presented his credentials to Alyaksandr Lukashenka on October 5, told reporters later in the day that the two countries should establish mutually beneficial ties in all areas.

“We should to move forward in all areas, not only in economic matters,” Mr. Linkevicius said. “We should expand ties in culture and sports. There are many channels to communicate with each other, and we should use them. This is not always easy. There are some natural obstacles, but we should not create additional artificial obstacles.”

The ambassador pointed to the use of the Klaipeda seaport in the export of Belarusian goods as a promising area of cooperation. “This is an area where I see mutual economic interests. This is profitable for both us and you,” he said.

The 51-year-old Linkevicius, who served as Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius` special envoy prior to his appointment as ambassador to Belarus, arrived in Minsk at the end of July.

A member of the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, Mr. Linkevicius served as minister of national defense twice: from 1993 to 1996 and from 2000 to 2004. Between the two appointments, he served as ambassador and head of Lithuania’s Mission to NATO and the Western European Union (WEU). //BelaPAN