News

On 22 May, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas met with Foreign Minister of  the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who came on official visit. This is the first official visit to Lithuania of the high-ranking UAE official, a member of the royal family.

During the conversation, the Ministers dedicated the most attention to economic cooperation and issues of cooperation in the sphere of infrastructure.

The Foreign Ministers of Lithuania and UAE stressed that it was necessary to exchange business delegations and agreed to organise bilateral consultations of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs each year.

At the meeting, regular bilateral political consultations of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and UAE were endorsed by signing a Memorandum of Cooperation.

As Lithuania’s turn to hold the EU Presidency is approaching, Minister V.Ušackas invited UAE to assist those Lithuanian diplomats, who will work with the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, to get ready for the Presidency.

Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan showed interest in the projects that are implemented by Lithuania in Afghanistan, Ghor province. Possibilities of the implementation of joint projects were discussed.

During the meeting of delegations, the UAE delegation presented its goal to open the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Masdar City that is now being built in Abu Dhabi.

In Vilnius, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of UAE was received by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius.

In 2008, Lithuania’s exports to UAE amounted to 20.7 million Litas (6.0 million Euros) and, compared to 2007, increased by 0.7%. Lithuania’s exports to UAE made up 0.04% of all Lithuania’s exports. In 2008, Lithuania’s import from UAE amounted to 7.1 million Litas (2.1 million Euros) and, compared to 2007, reduced by 69.2%. In 2008, Lithuania’s import from the UAE amounted to 0.01% of all Lithuania’s import.

In 2008, the trade turnover between Lithuania and UAE was 27.9 million Litas (8.1 million Euros). The Lithuanian trade balance with the UAE was positive and amounted to 13.6 million Litas (3.9 million Euros).

On 1 January 2009, direct investment of UAE in Lithuania amounted to 0.9 million Litas (0.26 million Euros). There was no direct Lithuanian investment in UAE on 1 January 2009.