Visits

Working visit by President Dalia Grybauskaitė to Ukraine, 26 November 2009

President Dalia Grybauskaitė went on a working visit to Ukraine to attend a session of the Council of Presidents of Lithuania and Ukraine, and to meet with Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko.

The two presidents discussed bilateral relations, cooperation in the fields of economy, transport, culture and education, as well as electricity supply options from Ukraine to Lithuania. A special focus was made on Ukraine's relationship with the European Union, the Eastern Partnership Program and European integration.

President Grybauskaitė underlined that Lithuania was able and willing to assist Ukraine by sharing its experience of integrating into Europe.

"Should Ukraine wish so, I am ready to help by sharing my personal experience and by giving advice on how to negotiate efficiently and talk with other EU member states to attain maximally favorable results," President Grybauskaitė said.

In a bilateral meeting with President Yushchenko, Dalia Grybauskaitė stressed the importance of cooperation with Ukraine in the fields of energy and transport and the need to deepen economic and trade relations built on the principles of mutual benefit and transparency.

President Grybauskaitė underlined that Ukraine could become a major energy partner not only for Lithuania, but also for the European Union, adding that only transparent and open relations in this area would lead to success.

Dalia Grybauskaitė and Viktor Yushchenko signed a joint statement at the session of the Council of Presidents of Lithuania. Three agreements were also concluded on the issue of free multi-entry national visas, recognition of higher education diplomas, and protection of cultural heritage.

The delegations discussed energy issues and options for supplying Ukrainian electricity to Lithuania after the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant.

The Presidents of Lithuania and Ukraine emphasized the need to ensure transparent energy supplies.

"Even before the actual trade started, Lithuania has already been approached by various intermediaries seeking to act on behalf of Ukraine. Such a path paved with old methods is not viable in Europe," President Dalia Grybauskaitė said.

Speaking at a subsequent press conference, Viktor Yushchenko said in response to the observations made by the President of Lithuania that every necessary measure would be taken to make sure that agreements between Ukraine and Lithuania on energy supply would involve no intermediaries.

President Grybauskaitė also met with Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych, both running for president in the election scheduled for January of 2010 in Ukraine.

According to Dalia Grybauskaitė, whatever the outcome of the presidential election, Lithuania would always respect the democratic choice of Ukrainian people and would continue constructive cooperation and experience sharing with Ukraine.

During her visit to Kyiv, President Dalia Grybauskaitė paid tribute to the victims of the Great Famine at the Holodomor Memorial.