News

On 7-9 November, in Lisbon Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Laimonas Talat-Kelpša is taking part in the European Development Days.

The event takes place for the second year in a row and has again attracted many politicians and representatives from the non-governmental, international organizations, as well as representatives from development cooperation agencies.

During the European Development Days, the subject of which is climate change and development cooperation, Lithuania presents itself in the common stand of  Nordic and Baltic countries entitled “Nordic – Baltic countries together for sustainable development”.

In the stand Lithuania presents development cooperation projects, which the country is implementing in partner countries. During the event new ties with other donor countries were established and opportunities to implement common projects were discussed.

At the European Development Days an exhibition of Lithuanian artists called “Invisible Bridges of Cultures. Africa and Lithuania” is on show. This exhibition attempts at bringing diverse Lithuanian and African cultures closer. The exhibition was visited by European Union Commissioner responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel. He expressed interest in the works of Lithuanian artists.

During the opening ceremony of the European Development Days, welcoming speeches were given by President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates.

During this event, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs L.Talat-Kelpša is taking part in discussions “New challenges and common visions” and “The Millennium Development Goals: opportunities and financing”.

Lithuania has undertaken to allot 0,17 % of Gross National Product (GNP) by 2010, and by 2015 to increase the fund for development cooperation up to 0,33 % GNP.