UK Minister for Europe visited Lithuania
The British Minister for Europe, Mr David Lidington MP, visited Vilnius from 1- 3 September.
The British Minister for Europe, Mr David Lidington MP
The British Minister for Europe, Mr David Lidington MP, visited Vilnius from 1- 3 September. He had talks and lunch with Foreign Minister Ažubalis, a meeting with Seimas Vice chairman Stankevi?ius and other members of the Seimas, and delivered a speech on the EU and our eastern neighbours.
He visited the Barclays Technology Centre and EU Institute of Gender Equality, and met briefly with Scottish football supporters arranging a party at the British Embassy for disadvantaged children.
A dinner for Mr Lidington hosted by the British Ambassador was attended by Justice Minister Šimašius, Vice Minister for Economy Žylius and senior officials and business representatives.
Mr Lidington emphasised the strong bilateral relationship between the UK and Lithuania, and the British Government’s desire to develop this further. He also noted the UK’s desire to expand co-operation with the Nordic-Baltic region more generally. In his speech and his meetings, he emphasised the Government’s strong support for the EU’s Eastern partnership initiative, including deep free trade agreements and a perspective of membership for partners able and willing to meet the political and economic criteria for this.
The UK’s Minister of Europe Mr David Lidington on EU neighbouring policy
There was a large measure of agreement between the two sides and discussions on aspects of EU policy and development, relations with neighbouring countries, energy security and perspectives for Lithuania’s OSCE Chairmanship in 2011.
The UK’s Minister for Europe, Mr David Lidington MP visits Lithuania
Mr Lidington welcomed Lithuania’s interest in working more closely with the UK in areas of domestic policy such as regulatory reform. He was impressed with the success of Barclays investment in Lithuania, which has enabled the Technology Centre to expand faster than planned. He expressed a desire to promote more such examples of UK investment, and discussed with his hosts what more Lithuania can do to attract investors.
The Minister made a video blog about his visit to Lithuania.
David Lidington in Vilnius