The leader of Lithuania's independence movement in 1990, Mr Vytautas Landsbergis, yesterday led the first of two delegations from his country to Ireland this week.
Mr Landsbergis, now the chairman of Lithuania's parliament, led a delegation of MPs in meetings yesterday with the Dail Ceann Comhairle, ail, the Seanad Cathaoirleach and the chairmen of the Oireachtas European Affairs and Foreign Affairs Committees.
Mr Landsbergis was the first president of Lithuania's Supreme Council in 1990 after its independence from the USSR was restored. Lithuania was independent of Russia from 1918 until 1940, when it was again occupied by Soviet forces.
Tomorrow, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Mr Algirdas Saudargas, will meet the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, for talks in Dublin.