The first intergovernmental consultations between Ukraine and Lithuania have taken place. Svetlana Grinchuk shared the details of the meeting.

Lithuania remains a reliable partner for Ukraine in matters of environmental protection and restoration.

Today, together with our Lithuanian colleagues, we held the first intergovernmental consultations between Ukraine and Lithuania, resulting in the signing of a joint statement on cooperation for the near future by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Gintautas Paluckas.

I had the opportunity to personally meet the newly appointed Minister of the Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, Povilas Poderskis. We discussed further avenues for environmental cooperation with my colleague.

Lithuania continues to be our steadfast partner in the process of European integration. Lithuanian colleagues assured us that they will provide Ukraine with both political and advisory support throughout the negotiation process for EU membership and the path towards NATO.

I expressed my gratitude to our Lithuanian partners for their assistance to Ukraine's nature reserve fund and forestry. Since 2022, Lithuania has been sponsoring the "Puscha Radziwilla" National Park. Additionally, since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, the Lithuanian Republic has provided 33 vehicles, motorboats, surveillance equipment, 300 sets of fireproof clothing, computers, drones, camera traps, and more to the forestry services and the NOBEL NATIONAL NATURE PARK, the "Puscha Radziwilla" National Park, the Lower Dniester National Nature Park, the "Kamenka Sich" National Nature Park, and the Rivnenskyi Reserve National Park. We expect the transfer of additional equipment in 2025, which will enhance forest infrastructure and improve emergency response effectiveness.

Another key aspect of our collaboration with Lithuania is point 8 of the Peace Formula by Volodymyr Zelensky regarding environmental security.

I am grateful to my Lithuanian and Ukrainian colleagues for their productive work and unity in their vision for the future of Ukraine and the entire European continent. I am confident that this day in Kyiv will provide a significant impetus for the development of joint initiatives.