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At the 67th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on 27 September in New York, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis held bilateral meetings with Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the three Western Balkan countries - Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The meetings discussed prospects of bilateral cooperation and the countries’ goals of European integration in the context of the EU enlargement.

“Lithuania consistently speaks in favour of the continuity of the EU’s enlargement policy and of the full accession of the Western Balkans region to the European family. Lithuania’s upcoming Presidency of the EU Council next year will seek to ensure the implementation of the EU’s Enlargement Strategy, based on the case-by-case assessment of the candidate countries, clear criteria and principles,” Ažubalis stressed at the meeting.

When speaking with Enver Hoxhaj, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, and head of Lithuania’s diplomacy Ažubalis pointed out that after the closing down of the International Civilian Office, the Government of Kosovo was completely independent and responsible for further development of the country. Ažubalis encouraged Kosovo’s Foreign Minister to ensure the continuity of the on-going reforms and to seek the normalization of relations with Belgrade, which would allow consolidating Kosovo’s independence and would pave the way for the country’s membership of the European Union.

Ažubalis congratulated Edmond Panariti, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, on the upcoming 100th anniversary of Albania’s independence on 28 November. Lithuanian Foreign Minister expressed hope that 2012 would be marked by substantial progress on Albania’s path towards the EU. Ažubalis encouraged Albania to continue its political and economic reforms. He drew attention to the fact that sustainable consensus of all Albanian domestic political forces and active cooperation were necessary for smooth implementation of these reforms needed.

During the meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zlatko Lagumdžija, Ažubalis discussed possibilities of signing of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between Lithuania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lithuanian Foreign Minister called on this Balkan country to show political will to cooperate and implement the commitments within the Membership Action Plan. Ažubalis stressed that timely amendment of the Constitution and of the Election law would be a very significant step forward for Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path towards the European integration.

During all the meetings, Ažubalis stressed Lithuania’s determination to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with the Western Balkan countries and the readiness of Lithuanian institutions to share the European integration experience taking part in the joint EU Twinning and other technical assistance projects.