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On 20 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys met with the Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. The meeting focused on bilateral relations between Lithuania and Canada, strengthening political and economic ties, transatlantic security, cooperation potential in the defence industry, and the EU-Canada partnership.

Lithuania's head of diplomacy highlighted Canada’s significant role and the contribution of its troops to strengthening the security of the Baltic states, as well as Canada’s support to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, leadership in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, and cooperation in the Safe Pathways Home initiative.

"Lithuania and Canada have a close partnership and a common approach to security. We highly appreciate Canada's contribution to the defence and security of NATO frontline states, its consistent support for Ukraine, and we are ready to further deepen cooperation in these areas, as well as in economic, trade, business, and other areas," noted Budrys.

When discussing the strengthening of the security of NATO frontline states, Lithuania's Foreign Minister informed about the recent drone violations of the airspace of the Baltic States, the threat they pose to the population, and emphasized the need to enhance the air defence.

One of the topical issues of the meeting was Lithuania's upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU at the beginning of next year. The Minister presented the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency to Canada's chief diplomat. According to Budrys, security and defence, economic competitiveness, internal security, social resilience, and the EU's enlargement will be among the topics that will be the main focus of Lithuania's Presidency.

The bilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Lithuania and Canada was held on the sidelines of the quadrilateral consultations between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Canada and the Baltic states.

Over the past few years, the Lithuania-Canada partnership and bilateral contacts have grown steadily. The Canadian Embassy in Vilnius was opened in 2023.