24 July is stipulated as Linkevičius' assumption of office in the decree signed by President Dalia Grybauskaitė.
At the ceremony of presenting credentials to the ambassador last week, the president called for equal, constructive, and mutually-beneficial cooperation in bilateral ties.
In her words, Lithuania and Belarus share close economic relations, therefore, it is crucial to assure that they develop in line with general European values and principles.
Grybauskaitė said Lithuania wanted the dialogue between the European Union (EU) and Belarus resumed.
In a recent interview to BNS, Linkevičius said it was vital to “find ways of talking to Belarus without ultimata and sanctions but persuade each other that there are conflict-free ways of cooperation."
The EU introduced restrictions against individuals and companies linked with the Belorussian regime following Minsk's repressions against the opposition after the presidential elections in December 2010.
Tensions in bilateral Lithuanian-Belorussian ties have lately heightened after Minsk announced detention of a Belarusian citizen for alleged spying for Lithuania.
