News

On his official visit to the Czech Republic, Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius has met with the Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka earlier today. The Counterparts have noted the excellent bilateral relationships, underlining the need for closer economic cooperation.

The Prime Ministers have discussed prospects for the cooperation between the Central Europe and Nordic-Baltic region, as well as the upcoming NATO Summit, energy security and other issues of international policy.

As regards the NATO Summit in Warsaw, the Heads of Government have stressed the importance of the readiness to respond to emerging threats, and improved deterrence and defence measures.

As noted by Czech Prime Minister B. Sobotka, the Alliance should show unity in ensuring Baltic security.

Prime Minister A. Butkevičius expressed appreciation to the Czech Republic for their contribution to reinforcement of our contingency. “This is a genuine expression of solidarity and readiness to overcome regional threats together”, said the Government of the Lithuanian Government, also thanking the counterpart for their participation in the air-policing mission, military training and exercises.

The Lithuanian Head of Government pointed out the nuclear power plant currently under construction in Belarus, which poses a major challenge to the security of the region. Unsafe facility may have consequences for the entire Europe.

On economic relations, the Prime Minister has noted the growing trend in trade between the countries, adding however that there is still much space for development, particularly in the areas of investment and tourism.

According to Prime Minister Butkevičius, the economic cooperation should benefit from the renewed flights of the Czech airlines to Vilnius. The Lithuanian Prime Minister has welcomed the initiative by the Head of the Czech Government to renew closer cooperation between the Visegrad and the Baltic countries through the meetings of Heads of Government in the appropriate political format (4+3). 

“We encourage the Czech enterprises to make use of favourable conditions and to invest in the free trade zones and a wide range of industrial and engineering technology equipment. We can see considerable potential for cooperation in laser physics and life sciences”, said Prime Minister Butkevičius and invited the Czech business and academic community representatives to take part in the international life sciences forum, Life Sciences Baltics, to be held next autumn in Vilnius.

Prime Minister Butkevičius has also invited the Czech researchers and scientists to cooperate with the Lithuanian institutions in international and regional projects.         

The Lithuanian Head of Government has expressed his hope that a bilateral transport forum, held in Prague, will encourage cooperation between transport and logistics companies of the two countries. According to the Prime Minister, the sector creates approximately 14 per cent of Lithuania’s GDP, and has a well-developed infrastructure.    

Both Heads of Government have also stated that immediate decisions are needed on the level of the Council of the European Union in order to mitigate adverse effects on the milk producers and processors, as caused by the emergency in the dairy and husbandry sectors.   

On the eve of the meeting, the Prime Ministers enjoyed a concert by the Lithuanian musicians – Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Kaunas State Choir, and Violeta Urmana – held at Prague Philharmonia. The Lithuanian musicians had been invited to attend the Prague Spring International Music Festival.       

“Although it is not always evident, culture is among those factors that reflect intensity of the bilateral cooperation most”, noted Prime Minister Butkevičius. 

Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius has invited Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka to pay a visit to Lithuania.

Last year, the Czech economy grew fastest as compared to the previous 8 years, accounting for 4.5 per cent. In Lithuania’s foreign trade, the Czech Republic ranks 21st, and is 20th in terms of Lithuania’s exports. Exports to the Czech Republic grew by 11 per cent last year.    

Source: lrv.lt/en/news/lithuanian-and-czech-prime-ministers-development-of-space-for-cooperation-and-reinforced-partnership