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At the World Lithuanian Economic Forum (WLEF) in Chicago on 21 September, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Egidijus Meilūnas stressed that Lithuania was focusing its efforts to engage bright minds from abroad in joint activities and to increase the visibility of the country on the modern world economy map.

“Seeing that patriots abroad want and develop their own initiatives to benefit their home country, the Government has to try to make it possible for them to contribute, showing that their support is welcome. For this purpose, we have launched many new programs, such as the Global Lithuania strategy. The WLEF also serves this purpose, as it attempts to rally talented people who care about the future of Lithuania and to bring together those who wish to contribute to the country’s political, economic, and cultural life,” the Vice-Minister said.

Meilūnas pointed out that Lithuania had a variety of special interests in the U.S. market and events like this one could help to find many useful points of contact.

“Lithuania’s economic diplomacy is the focus of our  attention over recent years. It works towards strategic goals in competitive sectors, aiming to open niches for our future economy, promote high-tech development and share research results with partners, focusing on the Lithuanian intellectual potential. We do not doubt that the WLEF is the right communication framework for highly qualified researchers and business leaders, and it helps to maintain contacts,” Meilūnas said.

The Vice-Minister thanked the members of the Lithuanian community, Lithuanian and American businessmen, and representatives of the Government, for taking interest in Lithuania and contributing to the WLEF, as well as other events that present Lithuania to a broad audience. Meilūnas pointed out that cooperation with Lithuanians living abroad had also helped to disseminate information about the International Conference “Life Sciences Baltics 2012” in Vilnius, and to organize the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University and the U.S. University of Houston.

“September has been a good month in terms of the Lithuania-U.S. relations. And, today, seeing all of you here, I am glad that the WLEF project grows so quickly,” the Vice-Minister summed up. He wished the Lithuanian diaspora to enjoy mutual contacts and maintain stronger ties to their Fatherland. He also invited them to attend the WLEF in 2013, which is traditionally held in Vilnius.

This year, the motto of the WLEF in Chicago is “Lithuania: Your Strategic Gateway to Europe”. The event aims to help Lithuanian communities abroad establish more business contacts in Lithuania. It presents Lithuania as a strategic business partner, which is attractive for investment to businessmen with Lithuanian background and to everyone who is interested in this country. The WLEF serves as a platform for high-level expert discussions and provides an opportunity for participants to share their insights about business in Lithuania from an international perspective. Participants can also tell their success stories to foreign investors, and, eventually, find friends who bring positive ideas and contribute to the bilateral business relations.