Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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462. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken formally with the Lithuanian foreign minister in the past three months. [55334/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s long-standing close relationship with Lithuania is highly valued.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielus Landsbergis and I meet in our official capacities regularly at European Foreign Affairs Councils (FAC), the latest of which was held on the 17^thof October. Prior to this there was an informal meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers (Gymnich) held on the 31^stof August at which we were both present.

I was accompanied by Minister Landsbergis during a visit to Odesa, Ukraine, on 14^thSeptember where we met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. During this visit, I took the opportunity to reiterate Ireland’s continued opposition to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and saw first-hand the operation of the Black Sea Grain initiative in Odesa port. It was also an opportunity to demonstrate, alongside Minister Landsbergis, the EU’s solidarity and ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine throughout this difficult period.