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On January 13 – 17 Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis toured Slovenia, Croatia and Bulgaria on official visits. In Lubliana, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Valionis met with Slovenian Foreign Minister Dmitrij Rupel. At the meeting, both foreign ministers agreed that there were a lot of common interests in the field of bilateral cooperation. The ministers noted the importance of boosting the bilateral economic cooperation, developing business and trade relations. It was mentioned that Lithuania regarded Slovenia’s experience in expanding its economic interests in the South-Eastern markets as very important, while Slovenia looked up to Lithuania’s experience in the Russian market. Much emphasis was laid on tourism as one of the most promising areas of cooperation, wide prospects were acknowledged to open up in the field of culture and environment protection. The ministers concurred that it was important to encourage parliamentary co-operation. Minister Valionis also met with Slovenian Premier Anton Rop and Speaker of the Parliament Borut Pahor. The prospects of future bilateral relations were discussed in the light of multi-lateral relations, too. "I would envisage possibilities of closer cooperation between Lithuania and Slovenia in the context of the ratification of EU accession treaties as well as in the work of the Convention", Minister Valionis stated. On 14 January Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with President of Croatia Stjepan Mesić, Speaker of Croatian Parliament Zlatko Tomčić, Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and Minister of European Integration Neven Mimica. On 15 January the chief of Lithuanian diplomacy met with Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Račan. During the meetings, both sides accentuated the need of paying more attention to the development of Lithuanian-Croatian economic relations. Minister Valionis stressed that “the legal framework for Lithuanian-Croatian economic cooperation has been laid down and now it is up to business people to take over the baton”. Lithuanian representatives made arrangements for the Lithuanian Minister of Economy to visit Croatia. It was also agreed on the possibility to present the Lithuanian business at the traditional annual fair of Zagreb. Croatian representatives noted that they were ready to share their experience in the field of tourism. Both sides agreed on holding a meeting of experts of tourism business. At the meetings, Croatian side emphasised their wish to make use of Lithuania’s experience in the EU integration. The chief of Lithuanian diplomacy was advised of Croatia’s intention to submit a formal EU entry application and asked for the support of Lithuania as a future member of the EU. Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula accepted Chief Of Lithuanian Diplomacy Valionis’ invitation to visit Lithuania. On 16 January the Lithuanian foreign minister met with his Bulgarian counterpart Solomon Passy, Chair of the Foreign Policy, Defense and Security Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Stanimir Ilchev, President of the National Assembly prof. Ognian Gerdjikov and, later in the evening, with Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha. During the meetings, matters of bilateral cooperation were discussed. The Bulgarian side was especially interested in Lithuania’s experience accumulated during the country’s accession negotiations with the European Union in closing the chapter on energy. During the meetings in Slovenia, Croatia and Bulgaria, continuation of political cooperation in the format of “Vilnius Ten” (V-10) after the Prague Summit was discussed. Minister Valionis noted that “V-10 political cooperation should remain active even after the Prague Summit in order to continue cooperation with the countries aspiring NATO membership. The V-10 format should acquire also a new, parliamentary dimension, which would help seek a smooth ratification process in the parliaments of the current NATO member states. Lithuanian Minister handed letters by Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament Artūras Paulauskas to the chairmen of the Parliaments of the countries visited, whereby speakers were invited to take part in the first formal meeting of the parliamentary leaders of V-10 countries to be held on 21-22 May in Lithuania. The Vilnius Ten created in 2000 is made up of countries aspiring NATO membership: Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. In speaking on regional cooperation, Minister Valionis stressed that Lithuanian paid a lot of attention to development of good constructive relations with its neighbouring states. "Relations among the countries of our region may serve as an excellent example to other regions. We want to transfer our experience of regional cooperation in the Eastern and Southern directions," the chief of Lithuanian diplomacy noted at the meetings.