The Speaker of the Seimas appreciated the active engagement of the groups for inter-parliamentary relations of the Lithuanian and Estonian Parliaments and took note of her close cooperation with Eiki Nestor, President of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia. Mrs Graužinienė stressed that bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and Estonia was important in the wider context of the entire region, too.
“In the face of the current situation, we must stand together and engage in closer cooperation and coordination of our positions on various matters at both EU and NATO levels. In addition, further use of effective formats of regional cooperation, such as the Baltic Assembly and NB8, is necessary,” the Speaker of the Seimas said.
Mrs Graužinienė further maintained that Estonia was an important trade partner for Lithuania; however, there was still room for improvement with a promising potential to develop cooperation in the area of science and innovation and expand reciprocal investment and tourism. “I am convinced that your endeavours in enhancing bilateral trade cooperation will be further pursued in the same direction by the newly appointed Estonian Ambassador to Lithuania,” Mrs Graužinienė said.
The Speaker of the Seimas also noted that she would attend the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence in Tallinn on 20 August 2016. “It will be yet another opportunity to recall not only our common painful past in the Soviet Union but also our joint struggle for freedom and the strong determination of our nations to restore historical justice,” the Speaker of the Seimas said.
While bidding farewell to the Ambassador, the Speaker of the Seimas extended her wishes of every success in his future activities.
Ambassador Toomas Kukk’s term of office ends on 31 July 2016.
