The Lithuanian Parliament unanimously approved and gave full support for Iceland’s membership application to join the European Union today as well as encouraging other member states to approve the application. The Lithuanian Parliament decided this was especially essential due to the fact that Iceland was the first nation to recognize Lithuania’s independence.

Lithuania encourages the rest of the European Union to ensure that the process moves smoothly and quickly and to hold membership talks in the beginning of 2010 rather than the proposed 2011. The Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vygaudas Usackas, will be expected to come to Iceland and hold a meeting with Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs Ossur Skarphedinsson on Saturday.