Top official on mission to open doors

Lithuania has further reason to feel optimistic about its chances for NATO membership. Canadian politicians took advantage of a visit by a high-ranking Lithuanian this week to give the development of the country's efforts to join the alliance the thumbs up.

Lithuania's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Giedrius Cekuolis spent three days in consultations in the Canadian capital Ottawa. His trip, designed to build stronger links between the two countries, also had a focus on NATO expansion.

A NATO founder member, Canada is supportive of future enlargement. Patrick Riel, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Lithuania should be encouraged by recent statements by leaders in the alliance.

"The indication by NATO leaders to invite new members is definitely a positive development," he said. "We support the objective of Lithuania's membership action plan," he explained.

Marcel Paige, deputy director of the section of the ministry responsible for the Baltic states, said that although NATO was a top priority of the Ottawa discussions, much time was also spent on discussing how relations with Lithuania could be further developed.

"NATO is a top foreign policy issue of both countries. But we also want to see how we can make a good relationship better," he said.

Paige says that Canada looks forward to future contacts with Lithuania, and believes that it will be mutually beneficial for both nations. "There are no irritants between our two countries," he said.

But Cekuolis added that there is more work to be done.

"Our relations are very good, but there is room for getting to know each other better and improving trade," he said. "There was tremendous understanding of Lithuania and Lithuania's foreign policy goals in the meeting. Nobody considers us a special case anymore."

Cekuolis said he had noticed an encouraging recent shift away from being treated as a "special case."

"This is a major change since last year. I really believe that cautious optimism has been inspired," he said.

Issues relating to Lithuania's role in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe also came up in the talks.

Cekuolis met with top officials of the Canadian government including advisers to Prime Minister Jean Chretien, and Gar Knuston, the deputy foreign minister. He also spoke at a university and met with members of the Lithuanian community in Ottawa.