Lithuania has been and remains a reliable partner of Ukraine at the level of bilateral relations and on the global stage. This statement was issued by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman during a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister regularly visits Ukraine, in particular the East of the country and actively supports humanitarian projects for supporting residents of  Donbas, as well as initiatives to improve the Armed Forces of Ukraine in line with NATO standards.

In the course of the meeting the sides discussed the election race in Ukraine, taking into account both the course of the campaign and in terms of maintaining economic stability in the inter-election period. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania stressed that the elections proved that Ukraine had reached high standards of democracy. In turn, the Head of the government of Ukraine underlined that the task of the Cabinet of Ministers is to continue the implementation of reforms. "I am assured that Lithuania will continue to be  staunchest  ally of  Ukraine, and our strategic partnership will continue to develop. I know that Ukraine is always in your heart, and you are always ready to understand and help us", Volodymyr Groysman added.

"Yes, we are ready to continue our cooperation and to help Ukraine in the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement  and in other issues", Linas Linkevičius said.

The Prime Minister briefed the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs on the current situation in Ukraine, aired the existing risks, first of all external, and raised the topic of new forms of world support of Ukraine. It will become one of the key issues during the third summer reform conference in our country. "We do not need gifts from the world community. We need effective tools that will boost our development. In recent years, we have made a major leap forward. And now there is a need to make Ukraine stronger", Volodymyr Groysman underscored.

Background

Lithuania is a reliable partner of Ukraine, a supporter of  principles of territorial integrity and a common position on a range of issues. From year to year, trade turnover between countries increases. Thus, in 2018, a turnover  amounted to $1.22 billion.