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Brexit minister in Lithuania for bilateral talks before divorce negotiations start

Xinhua, February 22, 2017 Adjust font size:

Britain's Secretary of State for exiting the European Union David Davis met with Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis on Tuesday amid bilateral talks with the European Union (EU) member states.

During his visit in Vilnius, Lithuanian capital, Davis and Skvernelis shared their expectations on the rights of both countries' citizens following Britain's exit from the EU.

"We want to see a generous arrangement in terms of their right to remain and their treatment, just as we want to see a generous arrangement for British citizens around the EU," Davis was quoted as saying by news agency BNS after meeting the Lithuanian prime minister.

Skvernelis voiced his concern to the issues of Lithuanians living in Britain, emphasizing the size of the community.

"We do care about their rights, social guarantees, including healthcare, it is important for us to maintain the opportunity for Lithuanians to study in UK," Skvernelis was quoted as saying in a statement from the government.

Around 200,000 Lithuanians currently live in Britain, according to Lithuanian officials. The Baltic state's population is less than 3 million.

Earlier on Tuesday speaking to Lithuanian national broadcaster LRT, Skvernelis said there cannot be any discrimination against the EU citizens on their country of origin. "Whether they've come from Western or Eastern Europe, social guarantee package must be maintained," said Skvernelis.

Davis visited Lithuanian capital following meetings in Latvia and Estonia, Lithuania's neighboring Baltic states, amid Britain's bilateral talks with the EU member states before starting Brexit negotiations.

Britain is set to trigger the formal process of leaving the EU by the end of March. Endit