14 January
Speaker of the Seimas Arūnas Valinskas received Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Lithuania John A. Cloud.
They discussed the issues of cooperation between Lithuania and the USA, Lithuanias participation in international missions, and mediation of conflicts.
I would like to note that Lithuania will always pursue the policy of democracy dissemination and assistance to countries which are in need of it. It will also continue the missions in the hottest points of the world, the Speaker of the Seimas said.
The topic of the restitution of communal Jewish property was widely discussed during the meeting. The US Ambassador was interested in the related decisions planned to be taken by the new Lithuanian government. Mr. Valinskas highlighted that the issue of the restitution of Jewish property was relevant and reminded that a meeting of Remigijus Šimašius, the new Minister of Justice, and the representatives of Jewish communities had been recently held in his office.
The Speaker of the Seimas stated that Jewish communities were offered to form a joint working group with the representatives of the Ministry of Justice to solve the issue. He also invited the US Ambassador to join the group.
Your participation will help create a more unified atmosphere when seeking a solution in the current situation. I believe that after a joint working group is formed the political decision will move from a dead-point; yet we will certainly have to take the current economic situation into consideration, Mr. Valinskas said.
The Speaker of the Seimas also expressed concern about resolutions adopted by the US House of Representatives and Senate in 2008, in which Lithuania is reproved for its incapacity to solve the issue of the restitution of communal Jewish property, and accused of violating the intergovernmental agreement with the USA concerning protection of cultural valuables, and being unable to resolve the case of the former Jewish cemetery in Šnipiškės.
Jewish communities are an integral part of the colourful history of Lithuania. A country consisting of diverse communities the model has been existing in the USA as well is vital. A state which does not run away from its history will live for another thousand of years, Mr. Valinskas stated.
Indrė Viržintė, Spokesperson of the Seimas Speaker
