Press Releases

President Adamkus and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates discussed prospects for future bilateral relations

President Adamkus emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Baltic region states and the United Arab Emirates as well as other Persian Gulf countries. He pointed out that this visit by Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the first ever visit by an official of such high ranking from the United Arab Emirates to Lithuania.

President Adamkus said that Lithuania was seriously considering establishing its diplomatic representation in the rapidly growing and dynamic Persian Gulf region, most probably in the United Arab Emirates - the region's financial and economic center. He suggested that the United Arab Emirates also discuss the prospects of opening a diplomatic mission in Lithuania.

"I see many options for the development of contacts between our two countries in the fields of science, culture, economy, and energy," Mr. Adamkus said.

President Adamkus invited business people from the United Arab Emirates to invest more actively in Lithuania, particularly in such sectors as biotechnology, information technologies, and infrastructure.

Valdas Adamkus underlined that Lithuania would like to establish long-term energy cooperation ties with the United Arab Emirates. He pointed out that the UAE might be interested in Lithuania's plans to import liquefied natural gas via a LNG terminal that it intended to build.

Among the other issues discussed during the meeting were cooperation options for Lithuania and the UAE to develop civil projects in Afghanistan. Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan underlined that his country highly valued Lithuania's contribution in Afghanistan and the activities and work performed by Lithuanian servicemen in Ghor Province.

President Adamkus invited the United Arab Emirates to collaborate in the reconstruction of Ghor Province and together implement civil projects.

"Lithuania is determined to continue its activities in Afghanistan because we are strongly committed to the spread of democratic values and human rights. We also feel responsible before the people of Afghanistan who seek national wellbeing and security," Mr. Adamkus said.

The Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates told President Adamkus about his country's aspirations to host IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) headquarters. The votes will be cast at the IRENA general session to be held on June 28-29 in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt).

President Adamkus told Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan's that Lithuania would discuss UAE's bid very seriously when assessing all candidate countries.