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On 27-28 November 2018, Lithuanian vice-minister of foreign affairs Darius Skusevičius led the Lithuanian delegation at the Geneva Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan.

The Conference, convened by the Government of Afghanistan and UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, adopted a Communiqué defining strategic directions of the development of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and international community’s support to it in the areas of security, economy, human rights, and others. It also adopted a Geneva Framework of Mutual Accountability that envisages specific measures leading toward peace, sustainable economy and free democratic political environment in Afghanistan. In his statement at the Conference, the vice-minister said: “Inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process should lead to a long-term peace and stability, ensuring sustainable solutions in development of the state. A stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan is our shared priority and interest.”

During his visit, vice-minister Skusevičius also met with the ICRC regional director for Eurasia Patrick Vial and with the President of the UN Human Rights Council Ambassador Vojislav Šuc. Lithuania’s support to the ICRC activities in Ukraine and broader cooperation on humanitarian issues was discussed with ICRC representatives. The discussion with the HRC President focused on the ways of improving the human rights situation world-wide and on making the functioning of the Council itself more efficient.

Late on 27 November, vice-minister Skusevičius officially inaugurated the Consulate of the Republic of Lithuania in Geneva in the presence of members of Switzerland’s Lithuanian community. The Consulate works in the premises of the Lithuanian Permanent Mission and is led by Consul Eduardas Petkevičius.