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Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis is personally committed to the “Global Lithuania” program and to strengthening ties with the diaspora. During a recent working visit to the United States, he made a special trip to a national gathering of the Lithuanian-American Community in Atlanta. There he told assembled delegates that Lithuania and its diaspora are one undivided and indivisible family. He also discussed practical ways and means for strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership.

When the Foreign Minister appointed Gintė Damušis to the new position of Ambassador at Large for relations with the Lithuanian World Community, he reiterated that State-diaspora relations are among the MFA’s policy priorities. Moreover, he expressed his appreciation for the work of Lithuanians abroad, who have actively contributed to the well-being, prosperity and viability of Lithuania. He also recognized the importance of past support and expressed the hope that efforts could be multiplied in the future through complementary and joint cooperation.

The “Global Lithuania” program is a vehicle for strengthening ties with the diaspora, including one of Lithuania’s oldest and most reliable partners – the Lithuanian World Community. What motivated the Government to come up with this idea? There is no denying that in today’s globalized world every country faces similar challenges. Migration is one such challenge. It is a reality for any democratic society, which guarantees the freedom of movement for its citizens. “Global Lithuania” seeks to address this challenge in a coherent fashion and to transform it into an opportunity. New technologies enable us to communicate faster and to cooperate more efficiently than ever before. The diaspora can successfully maintain transnational ties with their country of origin and actively participate in the state-building process much more readily.

The political, financial and logistical support provided under the auspices of “Global Lithuania” is more targeted and results-oriented. It aims to turn brain drain into brain power in support of Lithuanian strategic interests while at the same time increasing diaspora involvement in the life of Lithuania.

The Minister has stated that in order to realize the full potential of “Global Lithuania”, all government institutions involved in implementation of the program must demonstrate their commitment by allocating adequate funding, also administrative support and other necessary resources for making the “Global Lithuania” vision a reality.