Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis has met with the outgoing German Ambassador Angelika Viets and thanked her for her personal contribution to the development of bilateral political, economic and cultural cooperation between Lithuania and Germany.
According to the Prime Minister, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Lithuania last year symbolises the ever closer ties between the two countries. It is symbolic that the act of restoration of the State of Lithuania found in Germany was brought to Lithuania last year. Lithuania stands ready to continue to attach particular importance to strengthening relations with Germany.
“Germany's leadership in leading NATO's forward presence in Lithuania is already a success story today. This is a historic solution that we will strongly support in the future. About 30 percent of defence budget goes for modernisation and acquisitions. I am glad that Germany is the cornerstone of our armaments sector. This week, the first two infantry fighter machines of the Lithuanian Armed Forces (Boxer) were brought to Lithuania ”, said Skvernelis.
Germany was noted as one of the most important economic partners, ranking 1 in terms of the number of tourists arriving, the exports of goods of Lithuanian origin, and being among the top five investors. 2017–2018 was marked by investments from Germany. In the future, Lithuania will seek to ensure particularly favourable conditions for German investments.
The common approach of both countries vis-a-vis the future of the EU was pointed out. The goal is an effective union and the unity of all its members. Financial discipline, a smoothly functioning internal market, solidarity is a shared priority. The Head of the Government ensured that Lithuania was ready to cooperate closely in order to reach a constructive solution on BREXIT, drafting an agreement on the EU budget, strengthening the euro area and the Energy Union.
German leadership in European Eastern policy will remain crucial. Lithuanian Eastern Partners - Ukraine and Sakartvelo deserve a clear European perspective to continue on the path of reforms.
