Lithuanian Foreign Minister Emphasises Need for Russian Gas Embargo during Luxembourg Visit

As part of his working visit to the Grand Duchy, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, at the Mansfeld building (Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs) in Luxembourg-Ville on Tuesday 12 April 2022.

During this meeting, Minister Asselborn praised the excellent bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Lithuania, which are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of their diplomatic relations this year. Luxembourg's Foreign Minister particularly welcomed the numerous exchanges between the two countries at the European level as well as their cooperation within the framework of NATO's enhanced forward presence. The ministers discussed cooperation in the fields of information and digital technologies as well as renewable energies. They also welcomed the exchanges between the European capitals of culture Esch-sur-Alzette and Kaunas.

The two ministers noted the good cooperation between Benelux, whose presidency in 2022 is held by Luxembourg, and the Baltic countries, particularly with regard to free movement and the protection of cross-border communities.

At the centre of these discussions between the two ministers was the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. In this regard, Minister Asselborn reiterated his strongest condemnation of this military aggression and the abuses committed by Russian troops against civilian populations. Likewise, he expressed his concern regarding the degraded humanitarian situation in Ukraine. He emphasised that, in the context of the massive influx of people fleeing war in Europe, Luxembourg continues to fulfil its obligations to meet the needs of displaced persons and to extend its reception capacities, while financially supporting its partners such as the Red Cross and Caritas in helping displaced people in Ukraine or neighbouring countries.

Moreover, the two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on several European issues such as migration, the situation relating to the rule of law within the European Union (EU), the common response to be given to rising energy prices and the Schengen reform.

Chamber of Deputies

Lithuania's Foreign Minister also met with Luxembourg MPs at the Chamber of Deputies for an exchange of views on the Russia-Ukraine war, the common security and defence strategy within the EU and NATO, the issue of a Russian gas embargo and support for Ukrainians. Presenting the Lithuanian perspective, Minister Landsbergis told MPs: "We know that if [Vladimir] Putin stays in power we are in danger".

As a defender of an embargo on Russian gas and oil, Minister Landsbergis presented the example of his country which ended the supply of raw materials from Russia despite Lithuania's dependency (up to 30%) on Russian gas imports. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister stated: "The price to pay is certainly high, but we have to pay it".

Minister Landsbergis and Luxembourg MPs discussed the reception of refugees from Ukraine, but also Iraqi refugees, who have been sent to the external borders of the EU by the regime in power in Belarus. As for the support to be offered to Ukraine, apart from arms, Minister Landsbergis stressed the importance of guaranteeing aid to the country now to rebuild and make its territory safe. He also warned of an offensive in eastern Ukraine and the possible use of chemical or even biological weapons by Russian forces.

During the discussions, MPs addressed the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in prosecuting any war crimes committed in Ukraine and raised the issue of longer-term relations with Russia.

"I assure you that we will do everything in our power to put an end to this war", Chamber President Fernand Etgen said to the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, recalling that the Chamber of Deputies (Luxembourg's Parliament) had unanimously adopted on the very day of the Russian invasion (24 February 2022) a motion inviting the Luxembourg Government to "firmly condemn the unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine by the Russian Federation" and "to call for solidarity with Ukraine at European Union level". The Lithuanian Foreign Minister thanked the Grand Duchy for its position and concrete support.

Contacts between Lithuania and Luxembourg have multiplied since Russia invaded Ukraine. As such, Fernand Etgen had an exchange of views via videoconference with his Lithuanian counterpart Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, President of the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas). Mr Etgen also met Rita Kazragiene, Ambassador of Lithuania to Belgium, Luxembourg and Algeria.