News

During the visit to Israel on 28-30 May, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Neris Germanas met with Israel’s Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, the Deputy Foreign Minister Zeе'ev Elkin and Robert Singer, Secretary General of the World Jewish Congress. At the meetings, Germanas stressed that over the past few years the bilateral relationship between Lithuania and Israel had developed into a partnership, which is based on a constructive agenda.

Representatives of Israel positively assessed the development of bilateral ties. They also welcomed the decision of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania to adopt the Law on Good Will Compensation for the Property of Jewish Religious Communities and efforts to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the Jewish community.

The meetings discussed the official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius to Israel from 19 to 22 May, and the upcoming visit of the Israeli President Shimon Peres to Lithuania from July 31 to August 2.

Israeli representatives also expressed their belief that Lithuania’s incoming Presidency of the EU Council would dedicate significant attention to the further advancement of the relationship between the EU and Israel, and to an objective assessment of the situation in the region.

The meetings focused on economic co-operation and on tourism development perspectives. Over the past three years, the bilateral trade and tourism flows have doubled.

During the visit to Israel, Germanas attended the 4th International Conference of the Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism in Jerusalem.