"Towards the end of the Lithuanian Days, we will start the Lithuanian EU presidency which will open up new opportunities for Belarus and other eastern neighbors. Therefore, let us continue good past traditions and take advantage of present opportunities. Let us get acquainted, communicate and create," Linkevičius said.
The EU's relations with post-Soviet eastern neighbors will be among priorities of the Lithuanian presidency. An EU Eastern Partnership summit will be held in Vilnius in November.
Living under EU sanctions for opposition persecution and human rights violations, Belarus also takes part in the EU Eastern Partnership program.
Linkevičius also said in his speech that "the Lithuanians and Belarusians made considerable contribution to the creation of the regional and European identity by cherishing peaceful cohabitation of various nationalities, religions, and languages during the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania."
"We have to present our common history and cultural heritage to the wide world but, first of all, we have to rediscover each over again as past decades have, unfortunately, left many white spots," the minister said in the speech.
The speech was read out by Lithuanian Ambassador to Belarus Evaldas Ignatavičius on Friday.
In April, Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius met with his Belarusian counterpart Mikhail Myasnikovich in Klaipėda, Lithuania, and said he expected a thaw in bilateral relations during the Lithuanian EU Council presidency.
The Lithuanian prime minister also said then that the Belarusian prime minister might be invited to the EU Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius.
