Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius met with Kasparov on Monday to discuss the political situation in Russia and challenges, Rasa Jakilaitienė, the minister’s spokeswoman, told BNS.
“We are friends of a free and democratic Russia and we are happy that Lithuania is chosen (as the venue) for such events,” she said.
The forum, which started on Sunday and ended on Monday, brought together Russian opposition activists, public figures and representatives of non-governmental organizations, including former MP Ilya Ponomariov and representatives of Ksenia Sobchak, who has announced her intention to run for president next year, and of opposition activist Alexei Navalny.
Around 240 participants discussed Russia’s future and the upcoming presidential elections, and also tried to identify those responsible for the actions of Russia’s current president, Vladimir Putin, Kasparov’s representative Ivan Tyutrin told BNS.
“We discussed what needs to be done to make Russia a normal, civilized state that does not scare its neighbours,” he said.
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry also organizes a similar event annually.