Brussels, 25/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - Representatives of the European Parliament (EP) civil liberties committee have been in Lithuania since Wednesday 25 April and will remain until Friday as part of an investigation on the illegal detention of prisoners by the United States secret services in European countries. The aim of the visit is to support the efforts of the Lithuanian authorities to determine the share of the blame each of those involved should shoulder. At the end of 2009, Lithuania admitted that there had been secret CIA detention centres on its soil. Discussions will take place with the Lithuanian justice minister, representatives of state security, MPs on the defence and foreign affairs committees and human rights organisations. The MEPs will also visit a secret detention centre. “The fight against terrorism has to remain a European Union priority. … However, the EU must not compromise its basic values, which are respect for human rights and fundamental rights”, stated Michèle Striffler (EPP, France) in a press release. (MD/transl.rt)