Turkey’s experience in preventing illegal migration important for Lithuania – minister

VILNIUS - Turkey’s experience in preventing illegal migration would be important for Lithuania facing an inflow from illegal migrants from third countries, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis  says after meeting with his Turkish Mevluut Cavussogglu in Italy on Sunday.

"In response to EU sanctions, Belarus has sent illegal Iraqi and Syrian migrants across the Lithuanian border. Turkey’s experience in preventing irregular migration could be a very important tool to help us deal with this artificially created crisis, "Landsbergis said after the meeting, quoted in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Some 81 illegal migrants were detained in Lithuania last weekend, having crossed from Belarus. The total number of illegal migrants detained so far this year has reached 600 and is more than seven times higher that last year's figure.

During their meeting, the Lithuanian and Turkish foreign ministers also discussed the security situation in the Eastern Partnership region.

The Turkish minister also accepted Landsbergis' invitation to attend the Ukraine Reform Conference, which will be held in Vilnius on 7-8 July.

On 28 June, both Foreign Ministers are participating in the Plenary Ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS.