Linas Linkevičius: we are grateful to Belgians, who contribute to our security, and invite them to further active development of economic ties
At the meeting between Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, and Pieter De Crem, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, in Vilnius on 8 June, emphasis was on perfect political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries, mutual wish to develop them further, and a common approach to many EU and NATO matters. The members of the cabinets of ministers also discussed EU internal and external policies, regional security, progress in Lithuania’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
“We appreciate the contribution of Belgium, our NATO ally, into the security of the Baltic region. It is also thanks to your efforts that we are a safe country to foreign investment – we invite you to make active use of it,” the head of the Lithuanian foreign office said. He mentioned “GeoPhy“ from the Netherlands, “TGW Limited” from Austria, “Hollister” from the USA, “Hella” from Germany, and other companies successfully implementing their development projects in Lithuania and encouraged Belgian investors to follow suit.
The Belgian Secretary of State for Foreign Trade has come to Lithuania with a delegation of Belgian businessmen, who represent real estate, construction, and furniture industries. At the Lithuanian and Belgian Business Forum opened by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Neris Germanas, the guests heard more about trade cooperation between Lithuania and Belgium, the potential of investment into real estate in Lithuania, Lithuanian furniture producers’ proposals to foreign customers and met respective company representatives from Vilnius, Kaunas and Šiauliai counties.
The Lithuanian and Belgian Forum was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Lithuanian Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium and Francois Xavier Nieberding, Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Flanders, the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, the Lithuanian Real Estate Development Association, and the Baltic Furniture Cluster.
The turnover of Lithuania-Belgium trade in 2016 was 1.08 billion euros (ranking 13th among Lithuanian trade partners); Lithuanian exports to Belgium amounted to 0.32 billion euros (ranking 17th among Lithuanian export partners). Belgian direct investment in Lithuania was 76.3 million euros at the end of the 4th quarter of 2016.
Belgium was the first NATO country to serve in the Baltic air-policing mission in 2004, its jets returned to guard the space of the Baltic countries in 2006 and 2013; it regularly participates in NATO military exercises in Lithuania. Belgians were the first to join the NATO’s international battalion in Lithuania in January 2017.
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