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On 21 February, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid an official visit to Lithuania at the invitation of Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. This is the Pakistani Foreign Minister’s first visit to the Baltic states.

The Foreign Ministers’ meeting focused on developing political dialogue, the international community’s response to Russia’s war against Ukraine and regional security issues in Europe and South Asia, including the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the terrorist threat and strengthening cooperation between the European Union and Pakistan.

“Russia’s war against Ukraine has caused a global food and energy crisis, affecting many developing countries in Asia. Therefore, the efforts of all countries to stop Russian aggression are crucial,” Landsbergis said, stressing that we were also concerned about regional security issues of particular importance to Pakistan, such as the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. “Ensuring stability in the South Asian region, fighting terrorism, protecting women’s rights, and preventing irregular migration is also in the strategic interest of the European Union,” Landsbergis said.

During the meeting, Landsbergis and Zardari signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan on establishing a bilateral consultation mechanism. The document confirms the commitment of the Foreign Ministries of Lithuania and Pakistan to hold regular consultations on bilateral and international issues.

Both Foreign Ministers stressed the need to tap into the potential of closer economic cooperation to promote the development of transport corridors and exports of Lithuanian agricultural production to Pakistan.

Landsbergis expressed his condolences to and solidarity with Pakistan over the victims and losses of the unprecedented floods in 2022. The Foreign Minister noted that Lithuania provided humanitarian aid through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 2022.

During the official visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan will also meet with the Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) Viktorija Čmilyte-Nielsen, and the Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis. In addition, Zardari will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony in the Antakalnis cemetery, honouring Lithuania’s freedom fighters.

Pakistan recognised Lithuania’s independence on 8 September 1991. The two countries established their diplomatic relations on 31 May 1994.