Archil Prangishvili, the Rector of the Technical University, said that those interested in the Lithuanian language and the country could get good basic knowledge there and then go to Lithuania and continue practicing the language or trying to obtain Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees.
Chancellor of the Government Algirdas Stončaitis noted the very successful activities of the Centre for the Lithuanian language and culture and invited students to come over to Lithuania for further studies and language practice, as friendly, well-qualified and well-trained Lithuanian-speaking Sakartvelo people are always welcome. The Head of the Centre pointed out that last year seven and this year four graduates chose Master degree studies in Lithuania. The Chancellor of the Government was handed in a request asking to provide a possibility for the most gifted Master’s degree graduates to continue their postgraduate studies in Lithuania in a doctoral programme.
At a meeting with Dalia Baltrūnaitė, the Chair of the Lithuanian Community of Sakartvelo, Chancellor of the Government Algirdas Stončaitis thanked her for her active work and efforts in bringing together the Lithuanian community and promoting the Lithuanian language and culture. It is particularly notable that since 1996, Tbilisi has had a successfully operating Lithuanian school, attended by the third generation children and grandchildren. The Government of Lithuania has always paid special attention to the Lithuanian diaspora and is determined to step up these efforts. In 2019, Lithuania will be celebrating the year of the world Lithuanians.
The meeting with Kakha Kakhishvili, the Head of the administration of the Government of Sakartvelo, focussed on the close political, economic and cultural dialogue between the countries, reinforced through bilateral visits and consultations.
“We share a common approach to many challenges of the region and the world, we have common goals and interests, but most importantly - common European values. The last example of our excellent relations is the use of the authentic names of our countries in our languages. It is symbolic that this year our countries celebrate their centennial anniversaries”, said the Chancellor of the Government.
Algirdas Stončaitis handed over the invitation by the Head of Government of Lithuania to Sakartvelo’s Prime Minister to come to Lithuania on an official visit.
Giorgi Gakharia, Minister of Internal Affairs of Sakartvelo, emphasised the great potential as seen by Lithuania in expanding cooperation in international development programmes.
The Chancellor of the Government pointed out that Lithuania already won two twinning projects in Sakartvelo, and in 2018, the Office of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, together with the Civil Service Department, the Ministry of the Interior and the European Social Fund Agency submitted an application to participate in the Twinning project “Capacity Building of the Civil Service Bureau of Georgia to Implement the Civil Service Reform”.
“Lithuania continues to consistently support Sakartvelo on the road of the European integration. We are ready to help strengthening the administrative and institutional capacities in the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement. This is especially true in terms of regional development, good governance, environmental protection, and social and economic empowerment of women”, underlined the Chancellor of the Government Algirdas Stončaitis.
