The areas of greatest interest for cooperation with Canada are aviation, maritime transport and partnerships in diversifying logistics supply chains. The purpose of the meeting with the heads of the Transport Canada is to discuss the recovery of the aviation sector after the COVID-19 pandemic, to present strategic routes of Lithuanian air transport and new models for promoting the development of direct flights. The meeting will also aim to encourage cooperation between the seaports of the two countries through the creation of new international shipping lines.
From 27 September to 1 October, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications J. Skačkauskas will participate in the session of the ICAO Assembly, where the members of this assembly — 193 states of the world — will elect the ICAO Council, traditionally composed of 36 states, for a new three-year term.
During the elections, the further fate of Russia, currently part of the ICAO Council, will be revealed by this council, which has already twice officially condemned Russia for fundamental violations of the principles of airspace sovereignty and the Chicago Convention in the context of the military invasion to Ukraine. Moreover, the Council will propose to the ICAO Assembly the adoption of a resolution condemning Russia, which is the strongest possible form of condemnation of the ICAO.
The ICAO Council will also propose to the ICAO Assembly the adoption of a resolution condemning Belarus which forced a Ryanair passenger plane flying on an international route to Vilnius to land in Minsk on 23 May 2021. Following the investigation by the ICAO team of investigators, during which there was close cooperation with the Lithuanian and Polish authorities, the Belarusian authorities were found to have violated the Montreal and Chicago conventions and posed a threat to civil aviation.
In October of last year, the Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis, while visiting the ICAO headquarters in Canada, discussed the progress of the investigation into the forced landing of a Ryanair plane in Belarus, which was still underway at the time of the visit. During the meeting, the Minister once again wholeheartedly offered the country’s assistance and involvement necessary to conduct the investigation. At this session of the ICAO Assembly, we see the accomplishment of Lithuania’s involvement in the investigation: the preparation to adopt a resolution condemning the Belarusian authorities for violations of the Montreal and Chicago conventions.
Last year, Minister Skuodis, who met with the Shipping Federation of Canada, presented the loading and logistics possibilities of the Seaport of Klaipėda, the advantages of the Lithuanian communications node in Eastern Europe and the prospects for development. A meeting was also organised with the leaders of the Port of Montreal, who were very interested in the cargo and infrastructure of the Port of Klaipėda.
