"Your term of office was full of challenges to our bilateral cooperation. I want to thank you for your effort in fostering cooperation and mutual understanding", said the Head of Government and once again congratulated the Ambassador with the Chinese New Year.
The Prime Minister emphasized that China is undoubtedly the largest trading partner of Lithuania in the Asian region, and Lithuania is willing to expand and deepen the political and economic cooperation with China. According to the Prime Minister, the Chinese Minister of Agriculture is very welcome in Lithuania, and the visits of the ministers of transport, trade and of other sectors should also be discussed.
According to the Ambassador, even though his term in Lithuania is completed, a lot of mutual work still awaits. The Ambassador said he was sure that all issues related to cooperation in the fields of agriculture and transport will be solved.
"I am glad that the relations of our states present numerous new opportunities for businesses, agricultural producers, infrastructure projects and relations between the citizens of both countries", said the Head of Government. The Prime Minister spoke about Lithuanian companies that are discovering the Chinese market and actively taking part in fairs and exhibitions; it was noticed that Chinese investors are also showing increasing interest in Lithuania.
During the meeting it was noted that Lithuania is hoping to continue expanding the active cooperation with China in the transport services sectors and become the transmission hub of Chinese goods for Central Europe. The Prime Minister emphasized that Lithuania offers alternative cargo transportation means, including the container train Saulė, which covers the distance from Klaipėda sea port to China in 10 days.
The Head of Government noted the necessity to further promote the exchange in the fields of education and culture. The Ambassador was informed about the Draft Agreement, prepared by the Government, which provides for the recognition of secondary education acquired in either of the two countries, as well as the equivalence of higher education qualifications.
"This type of an Agreement promotes the mobility of students between the two countries and the transparency of the educational systems; it also makes the comparability and recognition of the acquired qualifications much easier. We are ready to sign the harmonized Agreement", said the Prime Minister A. Butkevičius.
Both parties were glad about the festival China is organizing in the Baltic States this year - the Year of Chinese Culture. The Ambassador noted that it is a very beautiful gesture that only makes the two countries closer.
