News

On 27 August in Vilnius, Foreign Minister of Serbia and Montenegro Goran Svilanovic and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis signed a bilateral agreement on cooperation in the spheres of education, science, culture and sports. At the press conference held after the ceremony of signing the agreement, Minister Valionis expressed his belief that the agreement will help to develop the already established cooperation between Vilnius and Novy Sad universities, to continue students’ exchange and improve studies of Slavonic languages in Lithuania. The Ministers discussed the possibilities of development of bilateral relations in the spheres of encouragement and protection of investments, economic cooperation, defence, etc. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister expressed his belief that bilateral agreements on international transportation of passengers and cargos, investment protection, readmission, etc. would be signed in the future. At the meeting, the Ministers also discussed the possibility of transferring to Serbia and Montenegro the Lithuanian Euro-Atlantic integration experience in harmonising the national law, reforming the public administration, encouraging regional cooperation and other processes as well as further cooperation in various international organisations. Minister Svilanovic praised Lithuania’s “very successful” integration into the EU and affirmed the interest of Belgrade in Vilnius experience in preparing to join the EU and the World Trade Organisation. The Ministers discussed the situation in the Balkan region, the process of democratisation in Serbia and Montenegro and the country’s role in ensuring stability in the region. Lithuania established diplomatic relations with Serbia and Montenegro (the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) on 22 December 2000. Minister Valionis visited Belgrade on 14-16 October 2001.