Vice-Minister Mitkus in Bratislava: EU enlargement and support for Ukraine will be among the main priorities of Lithuania's Presidency of the Council of the EU

On 4 March in Bratislava, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigitas Mitkus took part in consultations between the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Bilateral relations, EU issues, and Lithuania's readiness to hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU were discussed with the Slovak State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Advisor to the President of Slovakia Ján Kubiš.

Mitkus stressed the need to further strengthen bilateral relations in the fields of economy, culture, and education. There was an exchange of ideas on the possibilities for cooperation, including economic cooperation in the implementation of projects in the fields of industry, defence, and security, as well as financial services, which, it was stressed, have great potential for development.

Much attention was paid to the EU agenda and the priorities of Lithuania's Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2027. The security situation in Europe, energy security issues, preparations for the European Council on 19 March, and the need to maintain and develop the transatlantic relationship were discussed.

"A just peace in Europe is only possible when Russia's aggression is stopped, and Ukraine's territorial integrity is restored. We need to jointly increase the pressure on the aggressor and consistently support Ukraine to achieve a sustainable and just peace," noted Vice-Minister Mitkus.

During the consultations, representatives of the Foreign Ministries of Lithuania and Slovakia also discussed ideas in development cooperation, paying special attention to support for Ukraine. There was also exchange on countries' positions in international organisations and possibilities for closer cooperation within them.