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The heads of institutions and experts operating in the field of foreign policy participated in the meeting of the new council convened at the initiative of G. Nausėda on Friday.
The Presidency previously announced that the meeting would discuss a unified plan for the formation and implementation of Lithuania’s foreign policy based on a national consensus. The Council aims to ensure smooth inter-institutional work in the field of foreign policy.
“Similar meetings have been held before, but this one is special because it is the first after last year’s elections,” said A. Skaisgirytė, who called the meeting a strategic-level discussion.
It has been announced in advance that the first foreign policy coordination meeting will focus on the situation in Belarus, in addition to addressing the issues of 2021. Political agendas for national security, NATO, the EU, the Eastern Partnership and the Astrava Nuclear Power Plant Threat Management Program.
A.Skaisgirytė also mentioned after the meeting that they talked about relations with the United States, where the president is changing. Žygimantas Pavilionis, the head of the Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee, also spoke about Washington.
“We need to present Lithuania as the center of democracy for the new Washington in every possible way and direct beautiful words to the main goal: free and democratic elections in Belarus,” said Ž.Pavilionis.
“Belarus is a deeper thematic debate, because last year was the year of Belarus. Relations with this country are very important for Lithuania,” explained A. Skaisgirytė, adding that representatives of different institutions agreed that a long-term strategy on the issue of Belarus.
VIDEO: Advisor to G. Nausėda A.Skaisgirytė: “Lithuania’s long-term interests in relations with Belarus are very important to us”
Safety issues discussed, of course, coronavirus vaccination processes, economic recovery plan.
“The issue of the Astrava nuclear power plant is constantly discussed, it is inevitable. We have work to do, ”said A. Skaisgirytė, adding that the safety of the power plant had already become a“ common European problem ”and expressed the hope that the European Commission would present proposals in the near future.
“Lithuania’s infrastructure should not be used for the sale of electricity from Astrava, which is what is being sought,” stressed Chancellor Gabrielius Landsbergis.
Meetings are promised according to foreign policy needs and priorities.
Seimas President Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, G. Landsbergis, Ž.Pavilionis and Seimas Radvil jefe Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė Head of the European Affairs Commission, as well as experts, participated in the policy coordination meeting remote exterior along with the president.
Sigismund Gedvila / 15 minute photo / Gabrielius Landsbergis
“Such discussions are useful and help to establish the direction of foreign policy. The timing is also very appropriate, because the government has just finalized the preparation of the plan of measures, also in foreign policy,” confirmed GGGG
As the new government took office, various discussions emerged about whether it would be possible to maintain a united line with the presidency on certain foreign policy issues.
President Nausėda generally tries not to criticize Poland, which, according to the European Commission and independent experts, violates the principle of the rule of law. However, both G.Landsbergis and V.Čmilytė-Nielsen made it clear that they would not be silent if they saw problems.
Sigismund Gedvila / 15-minute photo / Gabrielius Landsbergis and Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen
In November, when criticism of the Polish reforms, especially in the field of the judiciary, came under fire in Europe, and the president of the neighboring country Andrzej Duda visited Lithuania, Landsberg said: “Friends are there to pay attention if something is wrong. or not. completely in order. “
That’s right, Marius Laurinavičius, Chief Analyst at the Vilnius Institute for Political Analysis 15 minutes He then warned that the foreign policy coordination mechanism would have to be activated: “This, in my opinion, will only strengthen Lithuania’s foreign policy; there will be more ideas and forces that can influence policy.”
“During Andrzej Duda’s visit, Nauseda said one thing, and Landsbergis, already knowing that he was being nominated, said another. This is also important because diplomacy can send somewhat different signals. This is normal, because even then Lithuania’s position becomes more balanced, “said M. Laurinavičius.
Analyst friday 15 minutes He said he was pleased that such a council was working: “The more discussions and attempts to have a common and coordinated position, the better.”
Photo by Sigismund Gedvila / 15min / Marius Laurinavičius
“According to the Constitution, the president makes the most important decisions in foreign policy. If he only wanted to push his agenda, he could disagree with anyone.
The convening of a council is therefore a good thing. We will only be able to evaluate the results when they are or not, but the discussion is a desire to talk and find common ground. This was not the case during Grybauskaitė’s tenure.
If successful, Lithuania’s foreign policy, in my head, will only get stronger, ”the political scientist said.
M. Laurinavičius was not present at the discussion; In addition to officials, other Eastern European policy experts participated in the meeting: Linas Kojala, Director of the Center for Eastern European Studies (RESC), Margarita Šešelgytė, Director of VU TSPMI, Dean of Šarūnas Liekis, Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy of the VMU.
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