President praised ties with Lithuania

Viktor Yushchenko and Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus held a joint press conference in Crimea on Monday, President’s press office reports.

The Ukrainian leader said two countries should develop trade and energy ties and added that Ukraine expected to discuss “developments on the energy market and collective actions to optimize it” during an energy summit in Vilnius on October 10-11. Adamkus expressed hopes the summit would enable its participants to talk aboutthe most important issues of their future energy cooperation.

Yushchenko described business relations between Ukraine and Lithuania as dynamic.

Speaking about developments in Ukraine, the President said preparations for an early parliamentary election on September 30 were underway, expressing confidence the poll willhelp resolve the country’s long-lasting political crisis.

Yushchenko thanked Lithuania for supporting Ukraine’s democratic transformations and its bid to join the European Union. “I really appreciate our friendly and active dialogue,” he said.

Adamkus said his country’s relations with Ukraine had a “very firm foundation.” “Our states will be working together for the future.”