Dalia Grybauskaitė expressed gratitude to Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson for Iceland’s unwavering support that Lithuania felt all the time, from the beginning of its re-established independence. According to Dalia Grybauskaitė, Iceland demonstrated exceptional courage by being the first to recognize the state of Lithuania officially in 1991.
The Presidents of Lithuania and Iceland discussed bilateral relations, enhancement of security and defense as well as preparation for NATO summit. Iceland supports Lithuania’s aim to continue the reform of the Alliance’s defense: to develop a strategy for the reinforcement of the Baltic states, to develop regional air defense architecture and detailed defense plans with attributed military capabilities as well as relocate more NATO commands closer to the Eastern border.
Iceland also contributes to the Alliance‘s deterrence measures and the forward presence battalion deployed in Lithuania.
Dalia Grybauskaitė also underscored that Lithuania highly valued Iceland‘s financial support under the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism. The funds are effectively used for enhancing children’s health care.
The Presidents also discussed the strengthening of equal opportunities. On Dalia Grybauskaitė’s initiative, the Women Political Leaders‘ summit will be held in Vilnius in June. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, will also attend it.
In December, Iceland will mark the centennial of its sovereignty.
