“Lithuania appreciates the partnership with Belgium and the Flemish Region. We are thankful for your country's contribution to the NATO’s Baltic Air policing mission, and continuing participation in joint military exercises. The security of people in Europe is our priority”, said the Prime Minister Butkevičius.
As regards economic cooperation, it was noted that Belgium is a very important trade partner (9th biggest importer and 17th according to the export list), and the biggest share of Lithuania’s trade with Belgium is with the Flemish Region – more than 80 per cent.
“We expect that the new cooperation programme in 2016-2018 will provide a momentum for additional investment and will encourage partnership in the fields of innovation, logistics, education and science, health care, culture, and others”, noted the Head of the Government Butkevičius.
The Prime Minister welcomed the decision to establish the Investment and Trade office in Vilnius. Agreements have also been signed today between Klaipėda and Antwerp sea ports, Vilnius University and University of Antwerp, Vilnius University and university of Leuven, and Enterprise Lithuania and FlandersBio.
“The new the Investment and Trade office will encourage investment flows, whilst the agreement with the port of Antwerp will provide a basis for exchange of experience, implementation of joint marker research and marketing projects, organization of events; it will also increase the visibility of the ports, and allow to address the issues of interested parties”, said the Prime Minister.
The Head of the Government stated that scientific cooperation is equally important. The agreements between universities will promote the exchange of academic staff and students, it will also allow to share best practices, jointly carry out scientific research, prepare joint projects, as well as strengthen the academic community.
The Prime Minister Butkevičius invited the Flemish Minister-President to the biggest regional LifeSciences Baltic conference in September 2016, in Vilnius.
