The President underlined that the main foreign policy task was to ensure protection of Lithuania's political and economic interests. Therefore, our diplomacy efforts must be directed towards ensuring the military, energy and information security of Lithuania as well as strengthening strategic, regional and economic relations in order to bring concrete benefits for the development of the country and welfare of the people.
"Lithuania is respected and valued in the world. And we should use this international trust for ensuring the security and economic well-being of Lithuanian people," the President said.
Military security of the Lithuanian state and its people, building up defence capabilities and security guarantees from the allies, are core priorities of Lithuanian foreign policy. It is therefore essential to seek endorsement at the NATO's autumn summit in Wales of the long-term security measures for the Baltics such as enhanced NATO presence in the region and regular exercises together with NATO allies.
Among the other important priorities of Lithuanian foreign policy, according to the President, are economic diplomacy, promotion of business and investment relations, and search of new markets. The head of state noted that Russia's milk, cheese and meat warfare against Lithuania clearly demonstrates that the search of new reliable and stable markets operating in line with civilized business principles is now more important than ever. She underlined that Lithuanian diplomats should boost our economic representation in the world's most rapidly developing countries, look for and attract new investments, and promote joint business projects with foreign countries.
According to the President, membership in one of the world's most influential Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, will open new economic and investment opportunities for Lithuania. Therefore, an important foreign policy task is to successfully implement the foreseen action plan and open membership negotiations already next year.
Dalia Grybauskaitė also pointed out that further ensuring Lithuania's energy independence remained an important foreign policy task. She said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must coordinate actions with foreign countries and partners and shape proper international environment for the implementation of strategic power interconnections projects, as well as seek U.S. liquefied gas exports to Europe and effectively use international conventions for ensuring nuclear security in Lithuania's neighborhood.
According to the head of state, continuity of foreign policy, robust and equal relations based on common values, mutual respect and benefit with all its neighbors and partners is in the interest of Lithuania. Cooperation with strategic partners in the European Union, United States and Nordic states helps better protect the interests of our country and people; therefore enhanced cooperation with these countries remains a strategic direction of Lithuanian foreign policy.
