Georgia congratulates Lithuania on 98th anniversary of independence
Tweet 
Share
Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze congratulated Lithuania on its 98th anniversary of independence and named the nation as Georgia’s biggest supporter as it moves towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
Janelidze attended a special concert at Tbilisi Conservatory last night to mark Lithuania’s Independence Day.
Georgia's Foreign Ministry twitted about Lithuania's Independence Day.
Congratulations to all Lithuanians on 98th anniversary of Independence! #IndependenceDay#Lithuania#Georgiapic.twitter.com/UsFx1pEgaD
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) February 16, 2016
The Minister highlighted the "very strong ties” Georgia enjoyed with Lithuania across a range of directions and particularly stressed the country’s continued support for Georgia’s fast Euro-Atlantic integration.
Ambassador of Lithuania to Georgia Giedrius Puodziunas emphasised the "special relations” of Georgia and Lithuania and mentioned both countries had very similar historic pasts.
Georgia's Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze highlighted very strong ties between Georgia and Lithuania. Photo by the Foreign Ministry of Georgia.
The Act of Reinstating Independence of Lithuania was signed by the Council of Lithuania on February 16, 1918, which proclaimed the restoration of an independent State of Lithuania, with Vilnius as its capital.
Georgia also initially gained independence on May 26, 1918.
A concert was dedicated to Lithuania's Independence Day in Tbilisi. Photo by the Georgia's Foreign Ministry.
On March 11, 1990 – one year before the formal dissolution of the Soviet Union - Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare itself independent. Georgia restored its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Lithuania is a member of the European Union, the Council of Europe, a full member of the Schengen Agreement and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
In Lithuania today Georgia's Justice Minister met several high-ranking Lithuanian officials including the country’s Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and head of the Seimas (Parliament of Lithuania).
"I hope Georgian citizens will soon be able to travel within the European Union (EU) freely.” This hope was expressed by Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius as he spoke at a joint press briefing together with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in Vilnius today.
People living in the Vilnius will celebrate the opening of Tbilisi Square – an area named in honour of Georgia’s capital.
Lithuania has joined the global campaign to support and stand by Tbilisi flood victims by hosting a charity concert.
"We need you in our Euro-Atlantic family” – these words were spoken by Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius in the Georgian capital Tbilisi today.
German lawmakers are happy with the progress Georgia has made towards Euro-Atlantic integration and say Germany will continue supporting the country as it continues to carry out democratic reforms.
Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze says Germany "completely supports” Georgia to obtain visa-free travel with European Union (EU) countries. Janelidze met his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steamier in Berlin earlier today.
Georgia and Lithuania are intensifying their relations, and Georgian Foreign Minister’s visit to Vilnius will enhance this. Minister Mikheil Janelidze is set to embark on two-day official visit to Lithuania today.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas Linkeviciushas believes Georgia is mature enough and ready for embracing visa-free travel to the European Union (EU).
Georgia and Lithuania are celebrating bilateral cultural and historical ties by hosting a unique exhibition showcasing old texts and other archives. Lithuania’s second largest city Kaunas is hosting the special exhibition titled Lithuania and Georgia in archival sources.
Estonia celebrates the anniversary of Restoration of Independence today. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili sent warm wishes to Estonia on Twitter.
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have new structures from April 1, 2018, to further enhance the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
The Tbilisi TV tower has lit up in the colours of the Lithuanian flag on the holiday celebrating the Day of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania. The Georgian Foreign Ministry has sent 'warmest congratulations' to Lithuanian people, wishing them prosperity and success.