Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Evaldas Ignatavičius in Stockholm presented Lithuanian priorities in the field of international development cooperation and the EU Eastern Neighborhood Policy
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Evaldas Ignatavičius has visited Stockholm on March 6-7. During his visit he discussed the issues of international development cooperation and the EU Eastern Neighborhood Policy with representatives of Swedish Foreign Ministry and other officials. In the meeting with Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation, E. Ignatavičius briefed her about Lithuanian international development policy priorities, forthcoming Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council in 2013 and possible areas for future cooperation. Deputy Minister informed about Lithuanian plans to arrange informal meeting of the EU international development cooperation ministers during its EU Presidency as well as initiative to hold the meeting of Nordic and Baltic (NB8) international development cooperation ministers this autumn in Vilnius. Photo: Jenny Häggmark/Swedish MFA G. Carlsson has expressed interest of Sweden for more intensive cooperation with Lithuania in the field international development aid. She has also stressed that both countries have their own advantages which must be fully used. During the meeting with State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frank Belfrage Deputy Minister E. Ignatavičius introduced Lithuanian priorities as regards the EU Eastern Neighborhood and informed about Lithuania’s intentions to arrange the 3rd Eastern Partnership Summit during its EU Presidency.
F. Belfrage emphasized that bilateral relations between Lithuania and Sweden are excellent, electricity interconnection project NordBalt is developing according to the schedule. Situation in Belarus and Russia, NB8 cooperation as well as implementation of the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy were discussed during the meeting.
At the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) E. Ignatavičius met with the Director of Reform and Selective Cooperation Department G. Holmqvist. It was expressed mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in implementing specific projects in the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership, twinning projects and projects related to the gender equality issue.
E. Ignatavičius has also visited the Secretariat of the Baltic Sea Council where discussed cooperation priorities.
