"My point is to study the past – not forget, not forgive – but at the same time go from darkness to light. It is time to look ahead – a new generation is coming, and we have a like-minded approach to many issues," the minister said in a recent interview to the Jerusalem Post.
He also reminded common Lithuanian-Jewish history of 700 years.
"Before the war [World War II] there were more than 200,000 Jews living in Lithuania. Unfortunately, almost all of them were killed, which is a tragedy not only for your nation but also for Lithuania. Because it was part of our face, part of our culture, heritage and history," he said.
Linkevičius said he was "ashamed to say, but it is true" that there were Lithuanian collaborators who took part in the murder of the Jews.
"It was long ago, but nevertheless it is a fact. It should be studied, looked into, and included in [Lithuanian] educational programs," he said.
He said he met with high-ranking officials, politicians, journalists, and many Litvaks during his recent visit to Israel.
The foreign minister also said that since 2011, when Lithuania adopted a law allowing Litvaks and their three generations of descendants to seek Lithuanian citizenship, around 4,000 Israelis have received Lithuanian passports.
