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Lithuanian, Ukrainian Presidents to discuss European integration

Along with giving this support, the Lithuanian authorities stress the importance of a persistent line at democratic reforms

VILNIUS, November 22 (Itar-Tass) – Lithuanian President Dalia Gybauskate, who arrives in Ukraine on an official visit Tuesday, and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich are due to discuss bilateral relations and the processes of European integration, the Lithuanian President’s press service said.

“In Kiev, she will meet with President Viktor Yanukovich and Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov of Ukraine, attend the fifth session of the Council of Presidents of the Republic of Lithuania and Ukraine, welcome the participants of the business forum of both countries, and participate in the exhibition - fair of Lithuanian products,” the press service said.

Special attention will be paid to relations between Kiev and the European Union and to Lithuania’s support to the Ukrainian government’s course at European integration.

Along with giving this support, the Lithuanian authorities stress the importance of a persistent line at democratic reforms.

The implementation of domestic reforms, improvement of business environment, and the stepping up of struggle with corruption brings Ukraine closer to Europe, and Lithuania benefits from this cooperation, too, Grybauskaite said.

“During the visit, the presidents are going to sign a memorandum on the activities of the shuttle train ‘Viking’, research and technology program for the period 2011-2015, and other documents of bilateral cooperation,” the press service said.

The two sides launched the project of the Viking international container train in 2003 as part of an effort to organize a Baltic-Black Sea transport corridor. The route links the ports of the two seas.

Georgia and Moldova joined the project recently, and talks with Azerbaijan, Syria and Turkey are underway. The sides have set a goal for themselves to unify the border crossing formalities and curtailing them to 30 minutes – something that has already been effectuated on the Lithuanian-Belarussian border.

As part of the visit, Grybauskaite and Yanukovich plan signing a memorandum of mutual understanding in the field of transport.