News

VILNIUS, Jun 11, BNS – Lithuania's Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis has referred to active economic diplomacy as the only way to survive the global competition and continuing tensions on world markets.

Azubalis made the statement in his opening speech at the 5th convention of Lithuania's honorary consuls and a meeting of economic and commercial attaches in Taujenai, Ukmerge district, on Monday.

"Concentrated, coordinated and pro-active economic diplomacy is the only rescue under conditions of global competition and tensions on world markets. It is difficult to deny that this was precisely Lithuania's response to the challenges in the key economic sectors by way of energy, transport, logistics, tourism, agriculture, exports and investment projects. One also cannot deny that we still have work to do on all of the matters," the foreign minister said.

He listed the tasks for diplomats and honorary consuls working in the field of economy: "This includes attracting investment to Lithuania, promotion of exports of our commodities and services and search for new niches, protection of Lithuanian business interests abroad and promotion of tourism to Lithuania."

"Please note that every diplomatic mission in a specific country has specified priority sectors for promotion of economy, with specific tasks for collection, analysis and spread of information with the aim of attracting investments, target events are planned in cooperation with the State Tourism Department. It is crucial to mention our tools: direct meetings and negotiations, incoming and outgoing business missions and international events," Azubalis said.

Started on Monday, the three-day convention of honorary consuls is attended by nearly 100 consuls from more than 50 countries. The event is planned to discuss Lithuania's economic development, energy security strategy, priorities for the upcoming chairmanship over the European Council, consular assistance and promotion of relations with Lithuanians living abroad. The honorary consuls are also planned to meet with Lithuanian business figures.

On the same days, about 60 diplomats working in the economic field and commercial attaches are in Lithuania to discuss economic development tendencies, strategic transport and energy projects, exports and investment promotion, potential of tourism services. They are planned to meet with business representatives and visit Kaunas, Klaipeda and Plunge.