KIRKILAS WELCOMED PRIME MINISTER OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Updated 2008-09-09
Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas met with the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Nikola Špirić who is on his official visit to Vilnius.
In their meeting, the Prime Ministers discussed topical issues of the domestic politics of the two countries. Kirkilas expressed his delight at the investments by the Lithuanian companies in this Balkan state and underlined the importance of the transparent investment environment in the countries seeking membership in the EU. According to the Heads of Government of the two states, the bilateral economic relations still have potential to become even more intense, and a bilateral Agreement on the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments, which is due to be ratified in the Lithuanian Seimas shortly, could serve in this respect. The Prime Ministers also believe that exchange of business delegations could stimulate economic relations as well. The Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina has invited Lithuania to actively invest in his country, and, according to Špirić, the conditions there are highly favourable.
While discussing the European prospects for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kirkilas said that Lithuania has consistently supported the EU and NATO enlargement and is in favour of the continuity of this process, taking into the account the preparation of each candidate. The Prime Minister said that Lithuania was ready to share its euro-integration experience. Kirkilas has also emphasized the importance of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement signed between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is due to be ratified by the Lithuanian Seimas shortly. The Lithuanian Prime Minister has also said that Lithuania supports visa liberalisation dialogue with the Western Balkan countries; however, it must be impartial and based on the progress made by each country with regard to the implementation of the necessary reforms. Špirić thanked Lithuania for its support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
In the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s integration to NATO, the Lithuanian Prime Minister congratulated his counterpart upon the invitation to start the Intensive dialogue at the Bucharest Summit in April 2008. These are highly significant achievements over the short period of time. The two Prime Ministers have also discussed the participation of Lithuania and Bosnia and Herzegovina in peace-keeping missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Prime Ministers have also touched on the political situation in the Balkans and energy security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In their meeting, the Prime Ministers discussed topical issues of the domestic politics of the two countries. Kirkilas expressed his delight at the investments by the Lithuanian companies in this Balkan state and underlined the importance of the transparent investment environment in the countries seeking membership in the EU. According to the Heads of Government of the two states, the bilateral economic relations still have potential to become even more intense, and a bilateral Agreement on the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments, which is due to be ratified in the Lithuanian Seimas shortly, could serve in this respect. The Prime Ministers also believe that exchange of business delegations could stimulate economic relations as well. The Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina has invited Lithuania to actively invest in his country, and, according to Špirić, the conditions there are highly favourable.
While discussing the European prospects for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kirkilas said that Lithuania has consistently supported the EU and NATO enlargement and is in favour of the continuity of this process, taking into the account the preparation of each candidate. The Prime Minister said that Lithuania was ready to share its euro-integration experience. Kirkilas has also emphasized the importance of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement signed between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is due to be ratified by the Lithuanian Seimas shortly. The Lithuanian Prime Minister has also said that Lithuania supports visa liberalisation dialogue with the Western Balkan countries; however, it must be impartial and based on the progress made by each country with regard to the implementation of the necessary reforms. Špirić thanked Lithuania for its support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
In the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s integration to NATO, the Lithuanian Prime Minister congratulated his counterpart upon the invitation to start the Intensive dialogue at the Bucharest Summit in April 2008. These are highly significant achievements over the short period of time. The two Prime Ministers have also discussed the participation of Lithuania and Bosnia and Herzegovina in peace-keeping missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Prime Ministers have also touched on the political situation in the Balkans and energy security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
