Lithuanian president congratulates Peres on resumption of peace talks

Dalia Grybauskaite says new development welcomed by EU; pledges support for peace process.

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
Latuva President (photo credit: GPO)
Latuva President
(photo credit: GPO)
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite in welcoming President Shimon Peres on an official visit to her country on Wednesday, congratulated him on the resumption of the peace negotiations with the Palestinians and said that this new development was welcomed by the European Union.
At the beginning of July Lithuania became the first of the Baltic States to assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, and Grybauskaite was speaking on behalf of both Lithuania and the EU when she voiced the hope that after a three year freeze in the peace process that the present talks would bear fruit and would result in two states for two nations living side by side in peace.
She pledged that the EU would do all in its power to support the peace process.
As to bilateral relations, Grybauskaite emphasized the importance of Lithuania's ongoing strong relationship with Israel, and added that maintaining a good relationship with Israel was also important to the EU.
The Lithuanian President lauded Israel as a model of innovation, which is one of the reasons that Lithuania is interested in enhancing its relationship.
As he had thanked Latvia earlier in the week, Peres voiced Israel's appreciation for Lithuania's contribution to the EU's decision to list the military wing of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
And again as he had done in Latvia he criticized the EU for its decision to limit its financial aid to Israeli projects and enterprises, so that only those within the green line were eligible for funding. Peres asked his Lithuanian counterpart to use all her influence to delay the implementation of the resolution, saying that if it goes into effect as planned, it will be detrimental to the peace process. He explained that this was the worst possible time for the EU to take any measure that might be harmful to the peace talks.
If the EU wants to support the initiative of US Secretary of State John Kerry, said Peres, the best thing it can do is to give the two sides a chance to reach some form of an agreement without any pressures being exerted on either side.


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