In a statement issued on February 22 the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry supported Georgia’s initiative to internationalize the peacekeeping operation in the South Ossetian conflict zone and called on Russia “to stop unfriendly actions” against Georgia.
“In our opinion, the issue of effectiveness of peace-making operations on Georgia’s territory and the necessity to internationalize them raised by Georgia is reasonable and valid,” the statement reads.
“Discontinued issuance of Russian visas to Georgians, violations of Georgia’s air space, urgently organized maneuvers near Georgian border, Russia’s refusal to attend the negotiations of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on South Ossetia conflict settlement in Vienna, Russia’s unfounded postponement of the Georgian Prime Minister’s visit to Moscow, an aggressive propaganda campaign against Georgia – this is an inadequate reaction to sovereign state’s striving to ensure its territorial integrity and settle internal conflicts using peaceful methods acceptable for the international community,” the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stated.
Lithuania also expressed hope that “the whole international community will support Georgia’s efforts to settle the conflicts peacefully.”