The meetings discussed prospects for closer political dialogue, the development of economic and cultural relations, as well as cooperation within international organizations. The conversations focused on emerging security challenges in Europe and Africa. L.Linkevičius also drew the attention of the Ethiopian officials to processes in the European Union's eastern neighbours.
The Lithuanian Foreign Minister stressed the importance of our country's more active involvement in solving global security issues and drew the attention of his Ethiopian counterparts to the participation of Lithuanian troops in international operations and the country's engagement in activities of the UN Security Council. The Minister also very highly evaluated Ethiopia's role of mediation of South Sudan peace talks and highlighted the country's active participation in the restoration of peace in Somalia.
Ethiopia is the second-most populated nation on the African continent. The country's capital Addis Ababa is also the continent's capital of diplomacy, because the African Union's headquarters are located in the city. Ethiopia is actively engaged in the settlement of conflicts in East Africa. It chairs the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The country has been one of the fastest-growing economies on the continent over the last decade.
Lithuania and Ethiopia established diplomatic relations in 1998. This is the first visit of the head of the Lithuanian diplomacy to Sub-Saharan Africa.
