The President and the leaders of Germany will discuss cooperation between the countries in dealing with geopolitical problems, as well as prospects for deepening bilateral relations. The influx of refugees, Russia’s aggression in the EU’s neighborhood, terrorism threats and nuclear security – these are the most acute issues of the international agenda that Lithuania and Germany continuously focus on.
During the visit, views will be exchanged on the most effective measures to stem migration flows, on the impact of sanctions on Russia and on the implementation of the Minsk agreements. Energy and nuclear security issues will also be addressed – focus will be placed on the project of the Astravyets nuclear power plant which does not comply with international security requirements and the gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 which violates the principles of the EU’s energy union.
Special emphasis will be placed on security and defense issues. Germany is an important security partner of Lithuania. This country has participated in the Baltic air policing mission most frequently. Germany’s rotational forces – troops and military equipment – continuously take part in NATO’s collective defense exercises in the Baltic states. 600 German service personnel and several hundred military equipment units will arrive in Lithuania this year. The Lithuanian armed forces purchase infantry fighting vehicles Boxer and PzH-2000 self-propelled howitzers from German producers. During the visit, preparations for and goals of the NATO summit, which will take place in Warsaw in July, will also be discussed. Germany allocates 1.17 percent of GDP to defense spending.
Germany also faces Russia’s aggressive propaganda and the threat of radicalism, promoted by Russia, to a democratic society and the state’s internal security. Last year, countries signed a bilateral action plan to combat propaganda. Prospects for the exchange of journalists and communication students as well as the necessity to raise the resilience of society to hostile propaganda and brain-washing will be included in the agenda during the visit.
Germany, which is the most steadily growing economy in the world, is also the third largest economic partner of Lithuania. German business people have already invested 1.2 billion euros in Lithuania. Our country is home to almost 500 German capital companies with 17 thousand jobs. The regions of the two countries cooperate successfully, too – as many as 58 partnerships have been established between Lithuanian and German towns and regions. Germany ranks first in terms of the number of visitors coming to Lithuania.
This state visit will open up new prospects for cooperation between Lithuanian and German business people and scientists in the fields of innovation and life sciences. The President will open a bilateral business and science forum which will bring together 50 representatives from business and science organizations. The Lithuanian life sciences sector is one of the most advanced in Central and Eastern Europe and expands by more than 20 percent a year.
Lithuania and Germany maintain dynamic cooperation ties in education and culture. Germany supports the February 16 High School in the town of Hüttenfeld and has 7 Lithuanian schools as well as 10 centers for Baltic studies at its largest universities. The Goethe Institute in Vilnius strengthens bilateral cultural ties. Lithuanian artists actively engage in German cultural projects. Next year Lithuania will be a guest of honor at the international Leipzig book fair.
