Further cooperation between Lithuania and Luxembourg, Astravets NPP discussed

Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has had a remote meeting with Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel, and has discussed bilateral cooperation.

‘Fight against the pandemic, vaccine acquisition, and speeding up vaccination are the key priorities on the Government’s agenda. The current challenge is mutations; it is necessary to vaccinate as many people and as quickly as possible, and the long-term task is to maintain population immunity. As the supply of vaccines is still unstable, it is important to create a support mechanism for the EU’s neighbours and the Eastern Partnership countries,’ said the Prime Minister.

Lithuania appreciates Luxembourg’s continued support in raising the issue of the unsafe Astravets NPP in all the EU and international fora.

‘We seek implementation of all the international nuclear safety recommendations at the Astravets NPP. We cannot divide recommendations into more important and less important ones because millions of lives are at stake. We cannot allow that electricity generated at an unsafe NPP enters the European market,’ the Head of Government has stressed.

Among other areas discussed, the conversation has focused on bilateral relations in the field of culture. Kaunas and Esch-sur-Alzette will be the European Capitals of Culture 2022, which could serve an excellent opportunity to build up further contacts between Lithuania and Luxembourg. The Prime Ministers have agreed to exchange working visits to mark the occasion, as well as to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations further.

The Prime Minister has thanked Luxembourg for its contribution to ensuring the security of Lithuania and the region: its financial support for NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission, deployment of troops in NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) battalion battle group in Lithuania, and participation in regional exercises.

According to Prime Minister Šimonytė, it is essential to seek that Eastern Partnership remains a strategic geopolitical priority of the EU. It is necessary to keep up the pressure on the regime in Belarus. EU sanctions are highly important, but no less important is effective support for the people of Belarus.