"I extend my greetings to Your Excellency upon the start of your mission in Lithuania. The opening of an Embassy of Israel in Vilnius is a historic moment. I am confident that this step will not only strengthen bilateral relations, but will also encourage cultural exchange among the people," said Prime Minister Butkevicius.
The head of Government has stressed that Lithuania pays much attention to the preservation of the remembrance of the Holocaust victims, the Holocaust education, as well as tolerance and fight against all manifestations of Antisemitism. The prime minister has emphasised that Lithuania's Report for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on the work that has been carried out in Lithuania in the fields of the Holocaust education, remembrance, and research has received an excellent evaluation, and it was even offered to use as an example while drafting other countries' reports.
On economic relations, it has been noted that partnership remains intense: Lithuanian tourism and scientific research presentations are held in Israel annually, and active exchange between business and journalist delegations takes place. The ambassador has agreed that it is necessary to strengthen cooperation and share good practice in the fields like information technologies and cyber security.
Prime Minister Butkevicius has informed Ambassador Maimon that the Seventh World Lithuanian Economic Forum is to be held in Tel Aviv in the autumn of 2015: it is the largest economic event for the Lithuanian diaspora, and it brings together major leaders in the international and local market economy. According to the head of Government, events like this facilitate valuable contacts and help exchange best practices.
Amir Maimon is the first Ambassador of the State of Israel to reside in Vilnius. Until present, the closest Israeli diplomatic mission to Lithuania was in Riga. The appointed ambassador arrived in Lithuania on 26 January. The official opening of the Embassy of Israel in Vilnius is preliminary scheduled for 12 March.
