News

On 2 June at the meeting in Cairo, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė conveyed and invitation of Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis to Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Al-Araby to take part in the Community of Democracies Ministerial on 1 July in Vilnius.

N.Al-Araby was also invited to attend the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which will take place in the capital of Lithuania this December.

“Egypt is important to the OSCE, which is currently chaired by Lithuania, as a Mediterranean Partner and, therefore, the country’s contribution to partnership promotion is very significant. In turn, OSCE could share their experience of the organization of elections with Egypt when preparation for the country’s first democratic parliamentary elections in September,” said the Vice-Minister.

The political consultations with Assistant Foreign Minister Ahmed Amin Fathalla focused on bilateral relations. The officials exchanged opinions on development of relations between the European Union and Egypt, the Middle East peace process, Afghanistan, Iran, also developments in North Africa and Persian Gulf states.

A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė stressed that Lithuania was interested to work on expanding the bilateral agenda with Egypt, to strengthen economic, commercial, cultural cooperation, educational exchanges, and legal framework for cooperation, to promote town-twinning, youth ties and to develop mutual tourism exchanges.

The Vice-Minister noted that Lithuania and Egypt were maritime countries, therefore, there was a potential for cooperation in the areas of maritime transport and cargo carriage.

At the meeting, the officials exchanged opinion on the diversification of energy sources and energy security challenges. The Vice-Minister informed A.A.Fathalla about Lithuania’s plans to build its own liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.

In 2012, Lithuania and Egypt will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of diplomatic relations. On this occasion, Lithuanian Foreign Minister was invited to come to Egypt.

Egypt is one of EU’s most important partners and an influential country in the Middle East region. When allocating assistance to Egypt, the EU attaches great importance to the strengthening of democracy, economic and social development. Lithuania participates in the EU policy that promotes security, stability and prosperity in the entire EU neighbourhood.

Lithuania is prepared to share the accumulated experience with Egypt in building administrative capacity in the financial, consumer rights protection, competition, agriculture and other fields.

In Cairo, A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė participated in a round-table discussion with representatives from the Egyptian Junior Business Association and other businessmen. They focused on cooperation in the areas of transport and logistics, information technology, tourism, textiles and services.

Egyptian entrepreneurs were interested in cooperation with Lithuanian companies, expanding the scope of bilateral trade and investment.

At the meetings with representatives from the Egyptian civil society, political parties, human rights organizations, the Vice-Minister discussed the domestic situation in Egypt and the issues of forthcoming elections, civil society, and establishment of political parties, human rights and press freedom.

A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė also met with Lithuanians living in Egypt. The Vice-Minister encouraged them to create a Lithuanian community and to get more actively engaged in the life of Lithuania.

“It does not matter whether you live in Lithuania, or in Egypt, you are equally important and Lithuania still needs you,” she said.