ID :
158755
Wed, 02/02/2011 - 16:28
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http://m.oananews.org//node/158755
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FMs to discuss strengthening trust between Russia, Lithuania
MOSCOW, February 2 (Itar-Tass) - The foreign ministers of Russia and
Lithuania, Sergei Lavrov and Audronius Azubalis, will meet here on
Wednesday to discuss ways to strengthen trust between the two countries.
Lavrov plans to inform his Lithuanian counterpart on "Russian
priorities in the OSCE, views on enhancing the role of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), exchange opinions on its role in a dynamically changing world, first of all from the point of view of real contribution to the settlement of topical problems in the zone of its responsibility," Russian Foreign Ministry sources said.
"Moscow expects that the Lithuanian chairmanship will make it possible to discuss substantively and coordinate such major issues as the approval of the OSCE Charter, the new version of the Vienna Document on measures of strengthening trust and security, the initiated by Russia program of further moves in the sphere of arms control and measures of strengthening trust and security, as well as consider the implementation by the countries participants of earlier assumed commitments on ensuring the freedom of movement and liberalization of visa regimes," the sources stressed.
The press service of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry drew attention to the fact that Vilnius considers energy security as one of the most pressing issues. "Lithuania would also like to compare with Russia positions concerning the so-called protracted conflicts in the post-Soviet space in the areas of the Dniester Region and Nagorno Karabakh," the ministry sources added.
According to experts, the meeting in Moscow will let the sides bring positions closer on the settlement of not only international, but also bilateral issues. In the recent interview, the Lithuanian foreign minister characterized relations with Russia as positive, but added, however, that" a certain deficit of mutual trust is felt" in relations between the two countries.
Azubalis stated that the sides had moved closer towards the signing of agreements that had been left without progress for eight or nine years.
"Work has been completed on five interstate agreements, and work proceeds on twelve more documents," he said. "Border demarcation and other concrete moves demonstrate that practical cooperation is strengthening," he stressed.
However, according to experts, disputable problems remain in relations between Moscow and Vilnius. Thus, Lithuania has given no clear answer to support Poland, which comes out together with Russia for simplified visa procedures for residents of border territories. Warsaw and Moscow believe this regime must include not only the 30-kilometer or 50-kilometer zone, but the whole region. Lithuania says this issue must be first of all coordinated with all countries of the European Union.
Lithuania criticizes Russia's intention to build the Baltic Nuclear Power Plant in the Kaliningrad region. And finally, Vilnius seeks alienation of property of Russia's companies, which, as Prime Minister Vladimir said during a visit to Germany in November had "legally acquired part of assets in the gas pipeline system of Lithuania, and now, with references to the third package (of the Energy Charter), they are being thrown out, they are told 'sell them'".
The ministers have a lot to discuss in the sphere of economic
cooperation. Although trade between the two countries grows every year, it does not exceed the figure of ten billion dollars.
Energy resources are traditionally dominating Russia's exports (about 68 percent). Lithuania exports to Russia electrical machinery, transport means, goods of chemical and paper industry, textiles. Specialists believe that the sides can reach new mutually advantageous agreements.
Along with Lithuania's own national interests, the OSCE Chairman
Azubalis also intends to discuss matters concerning media freedom-related issues which have acquired particular relevance in view of the legislative acts which were adopted during Hungary's presidency in the EU and reaction to which was mixed.
During the visit Azubalis is also to meet with Konstantin Kosachyov, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament, Mikhail Fedotov, Chairman of the Council on Human Rights to the President of the RF, and Vladimir Lukin, the RF human rights commissioner.
Lithuania, Sergei Lavrov and Audronius Azubalis, will meet here on
Wednesday to discuss ways to strengthen trust between the two countries.
Lavrov plans to inform his Lithuanian counterpart on "Russian
priorities in the OSCE, views on enhancing the role of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), exchange opinions on its role in a dynamically changing world, first of all from the point of view of real contribution to the settlement of topical problems in the zone of its responsibility," Russian Foreign Ministry sources said.
"Moscow expects that the Lithuanian chairmanship will make it possible to discuss substantively and coordinate such major issues as the approval of the OSCE Charter, the new version of the Vienna Document on measures of strengthening trust and security, the initiated by Russia program of further moves in the sphere of arms control and measures of strengthening trust and security, as well as consider the implementation by the countries participants of earlier assumed commitments on ensuring the freedom of movement and liberalization of visa regimes," the sources stressed.
The press service of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry drew attention to the fact that Vilnius considers energy security as one of the most pressing issues. "Lithuania would also like to compare with Russia positions concerning the so-called protracted conflicts in the post-Soviet space in the areas of the Dniester Region and Nagorno Karabakh," the ministry sources added.
According to experts, the meeting in Moscow will let the sides bring positions closer on the settlement of not only international, but also bilateral issues. In the recent interview, the Lithuanian foreign minister characterized relations with Russia as positive, but added, however, that" a certain deficit of mutual trust is felt" in relations between the two countries.
Azubalis stated that the sides had moved closer towards the signing of agreements that had been left without progress for eight or nine years.
"Work has been completed on five interstate agreements, and work proceeds on twelve more documents," he said. "Border demarcation and other concrete moves demonstrate that practical cooperation is strengthening," he stressed.
However, according to experts, disputable problems remain in relations between Moscow and Vilnius. Thus, Lithuania has given no clear answer to support Poland, which comes out together with Russia for simplified visa procedures for residents of border territories. Warsaw and Moscow believe this regime must include not only the 30-kilometer or 50-kilometer zone, but the whole region. Lithuania says this issue must be first of all coordinated with all countries of the European Union.
Lithuania criticizes Russia's intention to build the Baltic Nuclear Power Plant in the Kaliningrad region. And finally, Vilnius seeks alienation of property of Russia's companies, which, as Prime Minister Vladimir said during a visit to Germany in November had "legally acquired part of assets in the gas pipeline system of Lithuania, and now, with references to the third package (of the Energy Charter), they are being thrown out, they are told 'sell them'".
The ministers have a lot to discuss in the sphere of economic
cooperation. Although trade between the two countries grows every year, it does not exceed the figure of ten billion dollars.
Energy resources are traditionally dominating Russia's exports (about 68 percent). Lithuania exports to Russia electrical machinery, transport means, goods of chemical and paper industry, textiles. Specialists believe that the sides can reach new mutually advantageous agreements.
Along with Lithuania's own national interests, the OSCE Chairman
Azubalis also intends to discuss matters concerning media freedom-related issues which have acquired particular relevance in view of the legislative acts which were adopted during Hungary's presidency in the EU and reaction to which was mixed.
During the visit Azubalis is also to meet with Konstantin Kosachyov, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament, Mikhail Fedotov, Chairman of the Council on Human Rights to the President of the RF, and Vladimir Lukin, the RF human rights commissioner.
