According to the President, honorary consuls are Lithuania's link with the people of other countries and Lithuanian communities living there.
"Honorary consuls play a very important role in promoting the name of Lithuania worldwide, defending its interests, bolstering our economic, business and cultural ties with foreign countries, and disseminating objective information about Lithuania to the people of other countries. This is particularly relevant now as regional security is threatened and we face the ongoing information war," the President said.
Other topics discussed at the meeting included economic diplomacy, search for new markets for Lithuanian products, promotion of business and foreign investments. The President underlined that the honorary consuls' contribution to enhancing Lithuanian business cooperation with foreign entrepreneurs was very significant for our national economy.
The President has noted that Lithuania successfully overcame economic difficulties and is now recognized as a reliable business partner on the international arena. Lithuania's economy is one of the most rapidly growing and its unemployment level fastest declining in the EU. We have well-educated and highly-qualified employees. Direct foreign investments in our country are increasing. Global giants NASDAQ, AIG and Skandia are opening their service centers in Lithuania.
The President invited the honorary consuls to actively contribute to opening new opportunities and markets for Lithuanian businesses, attracting investments and advancing people-to-people contacts.
Lithuania currently has more than 190 honorary consuls in 84 countries.