“We see Nigeria as a priority partner for bilateral cooperation in West Africa, especially for trade and business relations, opening up new markets for our entrepreneurs,” Landsbergis said.
The meeting also discussed global consequences of the war in Ukraine and the deepening food crisis in African countries due to Russia’s blockade of the export of Ukrainian grain. The Foreign Minister acquainted the Ambassador with Lithuania’s initiative to mobilise international efforts to unblock the ports of Odessa and to export the Ukrainian grain currently stored in silos, and, later, the new harvest.
The Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Mantas Adomėnas invited the Ambassador Alege to an event on 7 July in Vilnius, which will bring together representatives of small democracies from all over the world. The Foreign Vice-Minister also thanked Nigeria for its consistent support for the adoption of resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
Alege is the first representative of the African continent, residing in Vilnius. Due to Russia's aggression, Nigeria has requested to relocate its embassy from Ukraine to Vilnius. Until 24 February, the Nigerian embassy, which is accredited to Lithuania, was still open and functioning in Ukraine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania approved this proposal.
Nigeria is Lithuania’s largest trading partner in Africa, with a bilateral trade turnover of almost a quarter billion euros. Lithuanian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies are interested in the Nigerian market because of a great potential of IT specialists, FinTech, food exports and alternative energy development opportunities.
Nigeria is Lithuania’s largest trading partner in Africa, with a bilateral trade turnover of almost a quarter billion euros. Lithuanian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies are interested in the Nigerian market because of a great potential of IT specialists, FinTech, food exports and alternative energy development opportunities.
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has exacerbated a humanitarian crisis in the African continent, which is feeling the effects of drought and climate change. The World Food Programme said additional 30 million Africans were at risk of famine in 2022. Thus, unblocking Ukrainian ports and restoring disrupted food supply chains is a global global challenge. All international partners should contribute to addressing it.
