"We are glad about the intensified bilateral relations in the area of trade. In 2014, as compared to the year 2013, Lithuanian export to Turkey increased by 33 percent, while import increased by 17 percent," said the Prime Minister A. Butkevičius. According to the Head of the Government, the two countries should continue their political and economic dialogue on the highest level, but the relations between people in the form of cultural exchange, educational programmes and tourism are no less importance.
The Prime Minister invited Turkish businesses to embrace the opportunities presented by highly developed Lithuanian infrastructure – the ice-free Klaipėda sea port and the freight train "Viking". According to the Prime Minister, "Viking" covers the distance from the Baltic Sea to the Black sea in 52 hours and with sufficient quantity of freight the train runs more than three times a week.
Turkey's Foreign Affairs Minister noted that Turkish representatives will be attending the annual meeting of the members of the "Viking" project which is due on 15–16 April in Lithuania, and added that he sees real possibilities for cooperation. Belarus, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania have already joined the project. M. Cavusoglu said that Turkey is interested in cooperating with Lithuania in the area of transport.
The Head of Government thanked the Minister for Turkey's support of Lithuania's efforts to become a member of the OECD. Minister M. Cavusoglu said that Lithuania deserves to receive the invitation, since it meets the membership criteria, has valuable experience and develops projects that the organization would benefit from.
Prime Minister A. Butkevičius emphasized that membership in the OECD is not solely the priority of the Government, but of the people as well. "Lithuania is absolutely ready to contribute to the organization's objectives; therefore, it highly appreciates the support of Turkey, its long-term partner, on this issue," said the Prime Minister.
