“Working holiday programs are now very popular with Lithuanian youth. Our cooperation in this area would undoubtedly contribute to advancing the relationship between Lithuania and Australia,” said the Vice-Minister Skusevičius.
Lithuania and Australia seek a bilateral agreement on social security, which would establish procedures to claim retirement benefits for Australia’s Lithuanians. In the meetings, Australian officials consented that the agreements were both relevant and important, and agreed to intensify institutions’ work to harmonize them.
The Vice-Minister Skusevičius also thanked Australia for supporting the ambition of Lithuania’s membership of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and expressed hope that the bilateral agreement for avoidance of double taxation of income would be signed soon.
Australian officials took interest in Lithuania’s project to set up a cyber rapid response team in the field of EU cooperation on security and defence. Skusevičius and the Deputy Secretary also stressed the importance of the partnership between NATO and Australia, and discussed prospects for a European plan for Ukraine.
The Vice-Minister Skusevičius is paying a working visit to New Zealand and Australia on 11 to 20 February. In addition to holding meetings with officials of the two countries, Skusevičius is also meeting with members of local Lithuanian communities and participating in events to mark the centenary of the restoration of the state of Lithuania.
