Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has invited Cyprus to open its Baltic embassy in the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius.
“I am aware of Cyprus’ plans to establish an embassy in the Baltic region,” President Nauseda told reporters after a meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Vilnius on Friday. “I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to consider the opening of your embassy in Vilnius so as to further strengthen political and economic relations between us.”
Christodoulides is the first president from the Mediterranean island nation to visit Lithuania.
Nauseda’s office said in a news release that the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, Europe’s security situation, Russia’s war against Ukraine, ongoing support for Ukraine, as well as the priorities which Cyprus will present as it takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2026.
“There are strong foundations in our growing bilateral ties, and today we are paving the way toward a further strengthening of this relationship,” President Christodoulides told reporters after the meeting. “I am very encouraged by Lithuania’s increasing investments in Cyprus, as well as by a steadily increasing number of Lithuanian tourists and, of course, vice versa.”
Nauseda for his part noted that Lithuania’s service-sector exports to Cyprus have increased by 6.5 times over in recent years, while imports have doubled.
“The growth of trade in services is truly impressive,” he says. “Lithuania has positioned itself as a centre for excellence in cybersecurity, E-business, E-government and fintech. I expect this to be mutually beneficial.”
The Lithuanian head of state went on to say that Cyprus’ EU presidency will be of particular importance as the EU prepared for its 2028-2034 multilateral financial framework. It is due to reflect the funding needs of traditional and new priorities.
“Your leadership will be essential for advancing EU enlargement, particularly with regard to Ukraine and Moldova,” Nauseda told his colleague. “We hope that significant progress will be made in negotiations in all relevant areas during the course of 2026.”
Christodoulides last visited Lithuania in 2021, when he was his country’s foreign minister.
Lithuania and Cyprus established bilateral diplomatic relations in December 1992.
Source: BNS
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