Ukraine and Lithuania hold first intergovernmental consultations

On December 20, Kyiv hosted intergovernmental consultations between Ukraine and Lithuania, led by Prime Ministers Denys Shmyhal and Gintautas Paluckas. The two delegations focused on defense capabilities and investments in the defense industry, European integration, toughening sanctions against russia, and economic cooperation.

Denys Shmyhal commended Lithuania for its comprehensive assistance to Ukraine. According to him, its volume has reached EUR 1.5 billion or more than 2% of Lithuania's GDP, half of which is defense assistance. The Prime Minister thanked for the opportunity of the Lithuanian Government to annually allocate 0.25% of GDP for the security and defense needs of Ukraine, as well as for investing in the Ukrainian defense industry.

“Lithuania has announced its readiness to invest in the production of the Palianytsia drone missile, which is part of our long-range program,” said Denys Shmyhal.

Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO was also on the agenda of the intergovernmental consultations.

“We expect the EU Council to decide to open negotiations on the first clusters at the beginning of next year. We also call for an invitation to Ukraine to join NATO as soon as possible. This is the only true long-term guarantee of security for all the neighbors of imperialist russia,” the Prime Minister of Ukraine emphasized.

Ukraine's recovery program has become an important topic of discussion between the governments of Ukraine and Lithuania. Particular attention was paid to the restoration of the energy sector.

“We are grateful for Lithuania's transfer of equipment from the decommissioned Ingalin NPP and Vilnius TPP. In the context of russia's ongoing attacks against our energy system, this is critically important. Thank you for that. We look forward to further cooperation in this area,” said Denys Shmyhal.

The parties also discussed the importance of further strengthening sanctions against russia and confiscation of russian frozen assets.

“We call on our European partners to develop a mechanism by which Ukraine will receive funds not only from the profits of frozen russian assets, but also from these assets too. The aggressor must pay. This is fair,” the Head of the Ukrainian Government emphasized.

The governments of the two countries paid considerable attention to economic and trade cooperation.

“We are not only friends, we are full-fledged and very effective partners. And such cooperation should not only be continued, but also developed and joint efforts should be made,” Denys Shmyhal said, adding that our country hopes to intensify the activities of the Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Lithuanian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and implement mutually beneficial economic projects in such areas as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, space activities, and healthcare.

The intergovernmental consultations resulted in the signing of a Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers, which will serve as a guideline for cooperation in the near future.

“The strategic partnership between Ukraine and Lithuania is extremely important for the whole of Europe, and today we have taken critical steps to enhance this partnership,” emphasized Denys Shmyhal adding that the joint positions of Ukraine and Lithuania remain unchanged. In particular, the document sets out the following basic principles

  • comprehensive, just and sustainable peace for Ukraine;
  • nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine;
  • no compromises on sovereignty and territorial integrity;
  • the only effective guarantee of Ukraine's long-term security is NATO membership;
  • persistent work on the path towards the EU.

 

Joint Statement (Ukrainian version) ( .docx , 29.02 Кб ) 

Joint Statement (English version) ( .docx , 26.80 Кб )

https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/ukraina-ta-lytva-provely-pershi-mizhuriadovi-konsultatsii