Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs: There is no point in political meetings with Russia
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius stated that, at the present time, there is no sense in high-level political meetings with Russia. That said, all necessary pragmatic non-political contacts are being maintained, reported the news portal Delfi, citing an interview by the Minister on the radio station Ziniu radijas.
"We really do not see the point in high-level political meetings at present [with Russia]; moreover, they won’t solve anything additional, except politicize the situation. In a sense, we already have such experience," said Linkevičius.
He also explained that work by the intergovernmental commission of the two countries stopped in 2011, when Russia put forward an "ultimatum list of homework" as a condition for commission meetings.
At the same time, all the necessary non-political contacts are being maintained at a sufficient level. "For example, exports to Russia increased by nearly 30% last year, despite not very intensive relations and mutual sanctions. Tourism flows have grown; visa centers are working actively; [and] several important agreements have been signed: here I would point out the work completed at the end of last year on the demarcation of the border with Russia, [as] this is a huge work that has been in process for 12 years, and quietly, calmly the result has been achieved," the Minister stressed.
According to Linkevičius, rounds of negotiations talks on immovable diplomatic property are also practically completed, while discussions on the border and other projects will continue. "Of course, these relationships cannot be intensified, but in those cases where it is meant to be, necessary contact is taking place," the Lithuanian Foreign Minister summarized.