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The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, who attended an informal meeting of trade ministers in Denmark on 13 and 14 October, emphasized that Russia’s war against Ukraine and recent geopolitical challenges pose a threat to the multilateral trading system and require urgent reforms. The discussion attended by the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, addressed the future of the organisation and the necessary steps to preserve the rules-based international trade system.

“Lithuania has always supported open markets and fair competition. However, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is destroying the rules-based international order. Moreover, the distortion of the fundamental principles of fair competition has destabilized the global trading system,” the head of Lithuania's diplomacy said.

According to the Minister, the WTO was created to promote free trade and ensure market economy conditions—goals that remain essential today.

According to Budrys, for the World Trade Organization to remain relevant, it is necessary to address governance and decision-making issues, strengthen trade rules, and ensure fair competition.

"Economic security and resilience of supply chains are global priorities that require effective solutions at the WTO level", said the Minister.

Lithuania also calls on the WTO to step up communication on the food security challenges posed by Russia's war against Ukraine. Attacks on civilian infrastructure directly affect trade and contribute to food shortages in third countries.

According to Budrys, the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon is a good opportunity to discuss these issues and take concrete steps towards strengthening the global trading system.

The informal meeting of EU foreign and trade ministers in Denmark, which holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of this year, focused on the strengthening of the EU's economic security and supply chains, the implementation of the EU-US trade deal, and negotiations on trade agreements with other EU partners.