News

Perspectives of strengthening Lithuanian-Turkish cooperation were discussed during the meeting between Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius and Ambassador of Turkey to Lithuania Aydan Yamancan on 19 November.

Possibilities of intensifying bilateral economic ties through an exchange of high level visits, as well as strengthening cooperation in the fields of security, education and culture were discussed.

The Minister underlined Lithuania’s consistent support for the accession of Turkey to the European Union and the importance of cooperation between the two countries within NATO. The Turkish Ambassador thanked Lithuania for its support for Turkey’s path to the EU.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister also noted that cooperation between the two countries in the field of education had been active. There are now more than 700 Turkish students studying at Lithuanian institutions of higher education. Lithuania ranks 3rd in the world for the number of Turkish students studying abroad.

The meeting discussed a complicated geopolitical situation in Europe. As regards the situation in Ukraine, special attention was given to the deteriorating situation of the Crimean Tatars. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister stressed the significance of Turkey’s role in the coalition against ISIL, especially in addressing the asylum problems of refugees fleeing the Syrian conflict.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister invited his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu to visit Lithuania.

The Turkish Ambassador presented her letters of credence to President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė on 30 June.