Ambassador R. Slepavicius participated at the OSCE Conference in Palermo
On October 23 – 25, 2017, Ambassador of the Republic of Lituania, Mr. R. Slepavicius, represented Lithuania at the Conference “Large Movements of Migrants and Refugees in the Mediterranean: Challenges and Opportunities”, organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy.
The participants of the conference, which took place in the capital of Sicily, Palermo, discussed the ways international community should approach issues posed by increased migration and refugee flows and how to turn those challenges of migration into new opportunities. The Conference was attended by delegations from more than 70 countries.
During the visit, Ambassador R. Slepavicius also met the mayor of Palermo, Leoluca Orlando, who presented the process of integration of refugees and migrants in Palermo. They also exchanged their views on the relationship between Vilnius and Palermo and discussed the implementation of the previously signed Agreement of Cooperation.
Additionally, R. Slepavicius visited the Gymnasium of Galilee, which has been successfully cooperating with Vilnius Uzupis Gymnasium, and the Regional Gallery of the Sicily at Palazzo Abatellis, where Pietro Novelli’s painting “The Crowning of St. Casimir” is kept. The representatives of the Gallery confirmed to the ambassador that this painting will be exhibited next year in the Church Heritage Museum in Vilnius.
