Lithuania hopes to cooperate with Baku in preventing Russia from circumventing Western sanctions

Baku/22.05.23/Turan: Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called on Azerbaijan to work together to prevent Russia from circumventing international sanctions. 

"In the context of the brutal war waged by Russia against Ukraine, our partnership takes on a new meaning," the head of Lithuania told reporters on Monday. "We must work together, blocking Russia's ways of circumventing sanctions, and support Ukraine until victory," he  stated after a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Vilnius.

Nauseda noted that he sees positive dynamics"in relations with Azerbaijan, and the agreement signed last year between the European Union and Baku on cooperation in the energy sector "helped the EU to provide itself with energy resources in the winter period."

"We must use the opportunities offered by the Eastern Partnership policy to cooperate and find ways to deepen the strategic partnership," the Lithuanian leader said. According to him, during Aliyev's visit, both countries signed agreements on closer cooperation in the field of the environment, youth affairs and law enforcement.

For his part, Aliyev expressed hope that in the coming years "the economy and trade will become the areas where the greatest progress will be achieved." "I am grateful to Lithuania for its support in cooperation with the EU," the Azerbaijani President said. The leaders of the countries also discussed regional problems and energy.

Nauseda visited Azerbaijan in May last year. ---16D---