The State Language Protection Commissioner Taras Kremin held an online meeting with the Chairman of the State Commission of the Lithuanian Language Audrys Antanaitis.

The parties discussed the experience of Lithuanian colleagues in the protection and development of the state language.

The Commissioner shared the details of the gradual implementation of the Law of Ukraine "On Ensuring the Functioning of Ukrainian as the State Language" which came into force in July 2019; told about the activities of the Secretariat of the Commissioner dealing with dozens of citizen appeals and complaints of violations of language legislation on a daily basis; expressed interest in deepening of cooperation with the State Commission in the frames of borrowing Lithuanian experience in improving the state language policy as well as in the context of strengthening Ukraine’s efforts to join the European Federation of National Institutions for Languages (EFNIL) the full member of which is Lithuania.

For his part, Audrys Antanait is told about the stages of formation of language legislation in Lithuania, the institutions of control over its implementation, stressed the importance of developing the state language strategy for Ukraine in the long run which the Republic of Lithuania has got, in particular. Among other things Mr. Antanaitis also shared his experience in establishing the network of language professionals in the regions integrated into the system of local self-government who provide advice on the implementation of language legislation.

Taras Kremin and Audrys Antanaitis agreed to deepen further cooperation both at the level of bilateral relations and at international platforms.