Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Lit : Lithuania’s Foreign Vice-Minister Germanas meets with the new Ambassador of Norway, discusses strengthening cooperation

At the meeting with the new Ambassador of Norway to Lithuania Karsten Klepsvik on 16 January, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Neris Germanas discussed the bilateral relationship between Lithuania and Norway, and the strengthening of cooperation on issues of importance to our region.

Germanas said that Norway was an important and reliable partner of Lithuania, as well as our close neighbour in the region. 'Our countries are enjoying their especially close cooperation in the economic, defence, energy security, and other fields. Numerous Lithuanians living in Norway contribute to the fostering and strengthening of our bilateral relationship,' said the Foreign Vice-Minister.

Germanas thanked Norway for its solidarity, as the country had joined the NATO's Spearhead Force in Lithuania, and for its multiple participation in the Baltic Air Policing Mission. Norway is an important partner of Lithuania in strengthening energy independence in the natural gas sector. The projects that are being implemented with Norway and funded through the European Economic Area and the Norwegian financial mechanisms are an important instrument for our bilateral cooperation.

Lithuania's Foreign Vice-Minister also stressed the importance of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) cooperation, when seeking solutions to regional security in solidarity, including cyber threats, hybrid threats, energy security, and resilience to propaganda. In 2017, Norway coordinated the NB8 activities.

After holding the meetings at the Foreign Ministry, the Norwegian Ambassador will present his letters of credence to the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė.