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During the meetings that were held in the margins of the GLOBSEC 2014 Bratislava Global Security Forum on 15 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius stressed that it was necessary to ensure a free presidential election and to continue to pursue the efforts of national dialogue for stabilization of the situation in Ukraine. The meetings also discussed Georgia’s progress in implementing reforms and the importance of NATO’s role in the region.

During the meeting with Victoria Nuland, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, both sides stressed that the upcoming presidential election in Ukraine was an important step towards regaining the country’s stability and unity.

“It is very important to preclude the possibility of any effort to prevent the people of Ukraine from taking part in the election and choosing the country’s next head of state,” L.Linkevičius said.

During the meeting, the officials evaluated the efforts of the Ukrainian Government to launch an inclusive national dialogue in the country despite tensions.

The representatives of the countries have also agreed they need to further enhance and take steps to coordinate the response by the West to Russia’s aggression, the occupation of Crimea and continued efforts to destabilize eastern Ukraine.

During the meeting with the State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Alex Petriashvili, L.Linkevičius welcomed the impending signature of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement on 27 June and hailed Georgia’s progress in implementing reforms.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister voiced Lithuania’s strong support to NATO open door policy in the light of the upcoming NATO Summit in Wales. The State Minister of Georgia drew attention to great expectations of the Georgian people that the Alliance would give a clear signal about the country’s opportunity to get closer to NATO.

L.Linkevičius also met with Miroslav Lajcák, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, who affirmed his country’s support to Lithuania’s aim to adopt the euro and offered to share Slovakia’s valuable experience of preparing for this step - raising public awareness and managing price increases due to the euro changeover. M.Lajcák also affirmed support to Lithuania’s membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The Ministers also discussed current events in Ukraine, highlighting the significance of the upcoming presidential election to be held on 25 May.