According to President Dalia Grybauskaitė, Lithuania and Croatia are linked by strong friendly bonds. Lithuania was among the first nations to recognize Croatian independence 25 years ago, and it was during Lithuania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union that Croatia became an EU member state. Today both countries are connected by increasingly closer people-to-people and business contacts as well as by their shared approach to major items on the EU’s future and security agenda.
Lithuania, with its own LNG terminal, is viewed by Croatia as model example for dealing successfully with energy security challenges. The two presidents will discuss Lithuania’s experience in implementing strategic energy projects, creating regional gas and electricity markets, and the safe shutdown of the nuclear power plant in Ignalina. As Croatia is preparing to build an LNG terminal, opinions will be exchanged on Lithuania’s possible contribution to the project. During the visit, a memorandum of understanding will be signed to further strengthen bilateral energy cooperation.
The two heads of state will also focus on enhancing relations between Lithuania and Croatia in trade, tourism and scientific research. Last year Lithuania’s exports to Croatia increased by as much as 87 percent. Tourist flows from Lithuania to Croatia are growing too. The new Croatian embassy to be opened in Vilnius will also contribute to close bilateral ties.
Lithuania and Croatia hold the same position on security challenges to Europe. Croatia actively supported Lithuania’s efforts to have specific deterrence measures deployed on NATO’s eastern flank; therefore, the presidents will exchange views about the implementation of the decisions made at the Warsaw Summit.
The meeting will focus on the situation in the European Union after the British vote to leave the community, possible solutions to the migration crisis, EU’s relations with neighboring countries, as well as cooperation between countries in the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Sea regions.
The Croatian President is member of the Council of Women World Leaders, chaired by President Dalia Grybauskaitė. In this connection, the protection of women’s rights and international efforts to fight domestic violence will be among the issues on the meeting agenda.
During her official visit to Lithuania, President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović will pay tribute to the victims of the January 13 attacks at Antakalnis Cemetery. She will meet with parliamentary and government leaders, and go to see the National Open Access Scholarly Communication and Information Center. In Klaipėda, the Croatian President will visit the LNG terminal.
