 | The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and his wife, Barbara Mikliè Türk, have arrived on an official visit to the Republic of Lithuania. On his visit, President Türk is accompanied by a delegation of businessmen, including 26 representatives of Slovenian companies. After an official reception with military honours, Dr Türk had a one-to-one meeting with the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Dr Dalia Grybauskaitė, which was followed by plenary talks between the delegations of the two countries, headed by the two presidents.
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 | In his statement to the press, President Türk noted that his visit coincides with the Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania, marking the 20th anniversary of independence. According to Dr Türk, this event produced two powerful and universal messages: that people's will to gain independence is invincible and that a major political change in Europe can happen peacefully. The Slovenian President emphasised that it was the peaceful nature and moral strength represented by the Lithuanian national movement that led to the disintegration of the global bipolar order and a more open world.
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 | The two presidents also touched upon co-operation between Slovenia and Lithuania, both of which are smaller and new EU Member States, making efforts to ensure that their voices are heard within the EU. Within the process of implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, it is important that Slovenia and Lithuania should be ensured adequate representation in the European External Action Service (EEAS). According to Dr Türk, the two countries should also seek other common ground. An exchange of views on regional priorities, including issues such as energy security and the future of South Eastern Europe, is therefore of great importance.
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 | President Grybauskaitė said that Slovenia and Lithuania have called for the introduction of a common energy policy for the European Union and for a more united attitude towards energy suppliers, which could reduce the EU's dependence on individual suppliers. As a transit country for the South Stream gas pipeline and future host of the seat of the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), Slovenia, President Türk noted, has a strong interest in energy issues.
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 | In the afternoon, President Türk met the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, Irena Degutienė. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral political and economic relations. Ms Degutienė also highlighted her country's strong desire for Slovenia to open an embassy in Lithuania.
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 | Later in his visit, President Türk laid a wreath at the Memorial to the Fallen for Lithuanian Independence at the Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius.
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 | He then met with the Lithuanian Prime Minister, Andrius Kubilius, with whom he particularly discussed the respective experience of the two countries in overcoming the economic crisis and establishing a balanced budget. Dr Türk and Mr Kubilius also attended the Lithuanian-Slovenian business forum, where both addressed an audience of business people from the two countries. In his address, Dr Türk emphasised that, with most difficult period of recession coming to an end, this is the right time to search for new opportunities. He added that, during the recession, Slovenia and Lithuania had recorded an increase in trade and other forms of economic co-operation, which is a solid basis for further development.
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 | In the evening, President Türk and Mrs Türk visited Vilnius University and met its rector, Dr Benediktas Juodka. President Türk conferred on Dr Jelena Konickaja, a professor at the university, the Order for Merits for her contribution in promoting and teaching Slovenian literature in Lithuania, and for strengthening both bilateral cultural relations and Slovenia's visibility. |