New Lithuanian Foreign Minister Discussed Support For Democracy In Belarus With Colleagues From Finland And Poland

The countries have agreed on a strategic partnership.

On December 15-16, new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis discussed with the foreign ministers of Poland and Finland, Zbigniew Rau and Pekka Haavisto, the support for democracy in Belarus and safety of the nuclear power plant near Astravets, naviny.by informs.

During the conversation with Rau they discussed "continuing clashes between police and peaceful demonstrators," the press service of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry reports. "The situation remains tense. Lithuania and Poland will continue supporting the civil society in Belarus, as well as the desire for democratic change," - Landsbergis said after the meeting.

According to him, much attention was paid to the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The parties stressed the importance of compliance with international standards of nuclear safety and environmental protection. Landsbergis asked Rau to support the position of Vilnius, which insists that electricity from the nuclear power plant should not enter the EU energy market. "Poland is and will be Lithuania's strategic partner," - Landsbergis said.

The talks with Haavisto were about "support of democratic forces in Belarus and security issues of the Astravets NPP." No details are given, except that the Lithuanian minister described the dialogue as pleasant. Landsbergis and Haavisto will meet again at the NB8 online summit of Baltic and Nordic Europe (this informal association includes Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Estonia) on December 18.

Gabrielius Landsbergis, 38, grandson of famous Lithuanian politician from the Soviet era Vytautas Landsbergis, became head of the Foreign Ministry on December 11, replacing 59-year-old Linas Linkevičius, who had held the post for eight years and before that had been ambassador to Minsk for almost five months.