Special • After only recently, at Israel's request, Lithuania banned the entry of Hezbollah operatives into its territory, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Liquichos was interviewed by Israel Today and addressed a variety of issues • "We need to talk about Iran's ties with terrorist organizations" • About the Palestinians: Tell them to start behaving appropriately "

• Veteran Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Liquicus // Photo: EP

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  Photo: IP

Among the EU foreign ministers with whom he met in Berlin was Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, and veteran Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Liquichos is one of the friendliest. Only recently, at Israel's request, has Lithuania banned the entry of Hezbollah operatives into its territory. Three years ago, it was Linkovicus who, to the displeasure of the then European Foreign Minister, Federica Mogherini, organized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's invitation to a meeting with European foreign ministers, thus breaking a long political stalemate between Brussels and Jerusalem.

Regardless of Israel, today Linkovichos finds himself at the forefront of dealing with the historic crisis in Belarus. His country has given refuge to Svetlana Tikhnovskaya, the opposition candidate for the presidency of Belarus, who is claiming victory over dictator Alexander Lukashenko in the election held three weeks ago. This crisis will be the main topic of discussion in the EU foreign ministers convened in the German capital. In an interview with Israel Today, Lithuania's foreign minister says he believes a change in Belarus is possible and that the EU should sever ties with the regime there. 

"People in Belarus deserve to live a normal life," Linkovichos said. "A change may not have a flourishing democracy there immediately. But, it is impossible not to hold those responsible accountable for recent regime actions, including alleged crimes." "Lithuanians, the European Union and other countries can do, he says, that such behavior is unacceptable and intolerable. I support the imposition of sanctions, not economic sanctions that would harm the population, but individual sanctions against those in the regime who used excessive force against the protesters and were alleged to have committed crimes."

"This matter must be investigated. These are the top security services, the top police demonstrations, the Attorney General's Office and the Election Commission that stole elections from the citizens. There has never been a massive popular protest movement in Belarus. Now, 400,000 people have taken to the streets recently, regardless of any political party, and protested peacefully. They did not smash windows and set cars on fire. They wanted to open a dialogue with the regime and organize free elections. We do not interfere in internal affairs. We talk about human rights violations. And committing crimes, issues that have no boundaries. "

"The way out of this political and value crisis is new and transparent elections, the recognition of which will be recognized first by the people of Belarus and also by the international community. The authorities in Belarus are still considering what their next steps will be. They want to seize power. That's not true. They want elections. Even the opposition presidential candidate, Svetlana Tiknovskaya, who is now in Lithuania, does not claim to be the elected president, despite the much support she has received. The situation in Belarus is very unfortunate. People are being abused. There have also been rapes. We can not remain indifferent to this. "

To what extent is Russia involved in what is happening in Belarus?

"Unfortunately, Russia has recently been involved in many conflicts - not in crisis management but in their creation. Through these crises, Russia is trying to influence the situation, whether in Georgia, where it occupied territories in 2008, in Ukraine where war is raging, in Transnistria in Moldova where a crisis could break out at any moment. In Libya, in Syria.Russia does not play a constructive role.I will not be naive to say that the Russians will just give up on a country they consider part of their sphere of influence.Belarus is considered Russia's backyard.I hope I am not mistaken in my assessment that the Russians will not go too far in supporting the shaky leadership in Belarus ".

"I believe that the Russians are also interested in new elections, which will provide a way out of the current crisis. Russia's role in the crisis will be very important. They are also now thinking what to do. There were calls from the Belarusian leadership for military assistance from Russia, and Moscow said it sees no political reason. Valiantly, legally or militarily for this. This is despite the fact that the Belarusian leadership spoke of an external threat. There were also accusations against NATO. The huge demonstration of solidarity organized earlier this week in Lithuania, the long human chain that personally and many others reminded me and many others of the human chain before 31, from Tallinn, the capital of Estonia to Vilnius, demanding the end of communist rule and independence, could not be considered a military threat. "But the regime in Belarus treated it as a threat."

Turkey is heating up tensions in the Mediterranean with Greece and Cyprus - two EU member states. Turkey still has a future place in the EU and should it remain a member of NATO?

"My opinion is that despite all the problems - with NATO, with the United States, the strange cooperation with Russia in the strategic field and the purchase of missiles - Turkey is a very important factor. A dialogue between the EU and Turkey could play a role here. We need to talk to them, And tell them clearly, why we do not agree. It takes patience and time. We need to express solidarity with Greece and Cyprus, but at the same time stand for direct dialogue and strategic dialogue with Turkey, which is an important member of NATO, with strong military forces, a key player in refugee matters. And other problems. "Despite everything, we have to keep talking to them patiently."

What will be the red line in relation to the dialogue with Turkey?

"I'm not in a position to draw any red lines. Some will say that the Turks have already violated certain red lines, others will say that there could be worse situations. Obviously, both versions are correct. But, not talking to the Turks is not an option. It would be too easy and serve those. "We want to see separation in the ranks of the European Union. It will not be good for unity and our goals."

Foreign Minister Ashkenazi talks about the issue of Hezbollah and the Israeli aspiration that all EU members will ban the organization's activities in their field. Lithuania recently made a decision in this direction. Do you think that the union should have a uniform policy to ban all Hezbollah activities?

"I would be happy to see this happen, but usually such decisions take time, because each country has its own agenda, interests and priorities. It was important for us to make a decision on the matter. I talked about it on the phone with Gabi Ashkenazi several times. I believe the developments in the agreement "With the UAE, which surprised many but was a step in the right direction, suspending annexation was also a good and wise move - since tensions in the region were too high, they are proof that through talks positions can be changed. There are other issues between us, such as the nuclear deal with Iran."

"In talks between European foreign ministers, I have always said, even at times when the agreement was still alive, that it is not enough. We need to talk about Iran's ties with terrorist organizations in the Middle East, the Iranian missile program, listen to the arguments of those who were skeptical of the agreement. The way for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. Our friends in Israel recognize that Lithuania is trying to listen and enable dialogue. "At the time, I initiated Prime Minister Netanyahu's invitation to Brussels for a meeting with European foreign ministers, after many years of disengagement."

"Despite all the disagreements, we can not just publish statements and write articles, but speak directly. We greatly appreciate relations with Israel, not only because of the 'Litwaks' (Lithuanian Jews) - who are part of our history and culture, but also a painful history that no one "I can forgive and forget. But, we have to look to the future, and we do a lot of things together: cooperation in defense and security, in science, smart technologies. I am very optimistic."

I understood correctly from what you said, that you see the nuclear agreement with Iran as a dead agreement?

"It's too harsh a wording. We share the European position that it is better to maintain a certain capacity for influence than to have nothing. We understand that not everyone shares this view. At the moment the agreement is not very active, but I think in the future we can return to some agreement. "All aspects that do not exist in the current agreement. The agreement should address a wide range of issues and expectations. It would be a mistake to close our eyes to these aspects."

The European Union has not gone out of its way to warmly welcome the historic agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. why?

"We see this as a step in the right direction. In general, we really want to see a dialogue between Israel and the Arab world. At the same time, we understand that the Palestinians are not very happy. We hope that they will understand that any dialogue between Israel and the Arabs is good and not bad. "In a situation of stagnation, which is not good for anyone. Suspending annexation should seem important to the Palestinians as well. Let's be realistic, we will not take everything for granted and not get stuck in stagnation. It is important to say that this agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel is very positive."

It is not time for the EU to say to the Palestinians directly: If you want us to continue to support you, must we stop the peace process?

" This has been said many times, perhaps not with the firmness we were interested in. You are right: there is a need to find a balance in providing aid to the Palestinians. What is still missing in my opinion is a regular, decent, and proactive dialogue with Israel. A balance must be found here. Palestinians should start behaving appropriately, condemning terrorism and not granting asylum to perpetrators of terrorism. And also telling Israel that a two-state solution is important, it should not be harmed, annexation is not acceptable under international law. There is no black and white. This is the situation before us, so let's look at it "Realistic, not based on false hopes stemming from his son's reflections. This is the only recipe to address the situation."

Relations between the EU and Israel have indeed not been very warm in the last decade. The Association Council for the Development of Relations is frozen, the initiative to establish regular meetings between the Prime Minister of Israel and the leaders of the union is frozen. Shouldn't the union change its attitude toward Israel?

" I have always supported the renewal of the activities of the Association Council and in favor of direct ties. But, we must reach a consensus between the EU countries and it does not always happen quickly. There are also arguments against. I definitely think we should do more."

The US administration recently published a report on the restoration of Jewish property from the Holocaust period. Lithuania is mentioned in it mainly in the context of non-return of private property and property without heirs. Lithuania now intends to resolve this issue?

" We are considered an example of restoring community property and creating a 'goodwill' fund to help Holocaust survivors. This shows that our approach is positive. When it comes to restoring private property, this process has been completed, but not everyone was able to sue. We are now looking for ways to resolve the matter. "In contacts with the local Jewish community and other international Jewish organizations. But, we really acted as a bed to our ability to meet the needs of the survivors."