News

At the ongoing Fourth United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Doha on 13 December, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė and Oman’s Religious Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah A’Salmi discussed possibilities for broader cooperation between Lithuania and Oman.

A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė invited Oman to develop a more active bilateral partnership in the framework of the Alliance of Civilizations.

“In the framework of the Alliance of Civilizations, Lithuania and Oman have same goals and this is a good incentive for both countries to cooperate in the field of tolerance promotion,” said the Vice-Minister.

The Vice-Minister stressed the importance of tolerance as a universal value and encouraged the Minister to take practical action aiming to promote tolerance, i.e., to foster cooperation of tolerance centers in Lithuania and in Oman, and to share this experience with other member countries of the Alliance of Civilizations.

“No religion instigates hatred for other religions; however, radical interpretations of religious doctrines pose a threat,” said A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė.

In turn, Oman’s Minister stressed that as history shows, a merge of religion and government brings benefit neither to state nor to religion. Oman’s foreign policy is guided by the principle of peaceful cohabitation with neighboring countries.

Inter-religious dialogue is one of the most important aspects of the activities of the Alliance of Civilizations. The Alliance of Civilizations was established in 2005. Lithuania has participated in the activities of the Alliance of Civilizations since 2006.