‘We are NATO and EU allies, and we share the same mind on many issues. We also have a common understanding of the security challenges facing the entire EU, which we are ready to address together on the basis of the principle of solidarity,’ said the Head of the Lithuanian Government after the meeting with Mario Draghi.
The Prime Ministers also stressed the need to strengthen the transatlantic relations.
‘The active contribution of Italian troops to the Baltic Air Policing and NATO’s Forward Presence Battalion in Latvia is the clearest example of solidarity with the Baltic States,’ noted the Lithuanian Prime Minister.
The Prime Ministers of Lithuania and Italy discussed the possibilities of strengthening the bilateral relations, while particularly focusing on economic cooperation.
‘We should take our cooperation further so as to know each other better. Our cooperation potential is huge, particularly as regards economic cooperation notably in life sciences or biotechnology, we should also do more in advancing our scientific cooperation,’ said Ingrida Šimonytė. The counterparts discussed a possibility of an Italian business mission to Lithuania.
EU challenges of illegal migration were also on the meeting agenda.
‘The hybrid attack carried out by the Belarussian regime, through irregular migration, shows that this has become a concern of the entire Europe, not only of Eastern or Southern Europe’, said the Head of the Lithuanian Government.
Ingrida Šimonytė noted Lithuania’s commitment to keep EU’s external border safe. The current crisis of irregular migration has shown that the EU needs to step up its efforts to strengthen the protection of EU’s external borders.
The Lithuanian Prime Minister pointed out the support and role of the European Commission in talking to the countries of origin of irregular migrants noting the importance of continuing to use all available diplomatic and practical tools to eliminate new routes of irregular migration as soon as possible.
The counterparts agreed that both Lithuania and Italy are strong supporters of European integration and that they care about the future of the EU, which should build on the principles of solidarity and strong European values.
The situation in Afghanistan was also discussed at large, including the evacuation of Afghans who had helped Lithuania and Italy, the security situation in the country, the importance of the efforts of the international community in preventing a possible humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
The Lithuanian Prime Minister noted Lithuania’s active role in hosting representatives of Russian and Belarusian civil society fleeing political persecution in these countries. Ingrida Šimonytė expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights and freedoms situation in Russia and Belarus, noting that the EU should continue and increase its support to the people of these countries.
The Prime Ministers of Lithuania and Italy also discussed the prospects for EU-China relations. Ingrida Šimonytė noted that talks with China should take place in non-divisive for Europe formats.
As part of her visit to Italy, on Thursday, the Prime Minister will meet with the senior management of Italian life sciences companies and the Lithuanian community in Italy. At the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Head of the Lithuanian Government will visit an exhibition of works by Antonietta Raphaël Mafai, a well-known Litvak artist.
In 2021, the countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Italy, and in 2022, they will mark the 100th anniversary of the recognition of Lithuania’s independence by Italy. Ingrida Šimonytė invited the Italian Prime Minister to visit Lithuania.