News

On 20 February, Lithuania‘s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas received Turkey‘s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan who was on an official visit to Lithuania. At the meeting, the Ministers discussed bilateral political and economic cooperation, Turkey‘s progress in the European Union accession negotiations and important issues of international affairs. „Turkey is an important ally of Lithuania and contributes to the security of the Baltic States’ airspace“, Minister V.Ušackas noted, while speaking on the subject of cooperation in the North Atlantic Alliance.

Head of Lithuania‘s diplomacy suggested intensifying bilateral economic cooperation and voiced an idea of organizing a Lithuanian-Turkish business forum already this year.

Minister V.Ušackas stressed that better transport links would positively contribute to the development of Lithuania‘s and Turkey‘s relations. Minister invited Turkey to join the agreement of Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine on the cargo train „Viking“, which connects the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea regions.

The Ministers also noted the importance of people-to-people contacts. Possibilities to introduce visa-free travels for Lithuania‘s citizens travelling to Turkey (in 2008, 95 thousand Lithuania‘s citizens visited Turkey) were discussed. The delegations agreed to hold expert consultations on this issue in the nearest future. It is expected to come to an agreement already this year.

Minister V.Ušackas also urged Turkey to liberalize procedures of the registration of real estate for the citizens of Lithuania who acquire real estate in Turkey.

On the subject of Turkey‘s progress in the EU accession negotiations, Minister V.Ušackas stressed that Lithuania supported Turkey‘s integration into the EU and encouraged Turkey to implement necessary reforms.

„The reforms would speed up Turkey‘s EU accession“, Lithuania‘s Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

The Ministers exchanged views on the situation in the South Caucasus, relations with Russia, developments in the Middle East and situation in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.

During the visit, Lithuanian and Turkish Foreign Ministers signed the Framework Programme Between the Governments of Lithuania and Turkey on Cooperation in the Fields of Education, Science, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Mass Media, and Contacts Between People. The programme foresees student exchange, cooperation among professors and culture creators, as well as support to the translation of literature, studies of the Lithuanian and Turkish languages, joint projects in the fields of scientific research and technologies.

In 2008 Lithuania‘s trade with Turkey reached 786 million Litas. On 1 October 2008, Turkey‘s direct investment in Lithuania was 1,6 million Litas. Lithuania does not have direct investments in Turkey.