Prime Minister opened French-Lithuanian Business Forum and met with local Lithuanian community as well as French political scientists, journalists and intellectuals
Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, who is about to conclude her working visit to France, met with the local Lithuanian community in Paris, and together with Olivier Becht, the French Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, opened the French-Lithuanian Business Forum on Tuesday. She also participated in an informal meeting with French political scientists, journalists, and intellectuals.
During the meeting with the members of the Lithuanian community, Prime Minister thanked them for their connection with Lithuania and their role in raising the issues important to Lithuania in France as well as their proactive stance in supporting Ukraine and condemning Russia's military aggression. The meeting focused on the economy of Lithuania as well as current political issues.
‘The Lithuanian diaspora in France, like Lithuanian communities in other countries, is part of Lithuania. We are convinced of this as we hear your voice on the issues significant to Lithuania, and in the last 7 months, we have been hearing your important position in support of Ukraine’, said Prime Minister.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Šimonytė opened the French-Lithuanian Business Forum and greeted its participants.
‘This is the third French-Lithuanian Business Forum, which I hope will become one of those traditions whose meaning is proven by mutual benefit. I wish that this Forum will become the beginning of new partnerships and will result in the exchange of valuable experiences’, said Prime Minister addressing the Forum.
The Minister of the Economy and Innovation of Lithuania, Aušrinė Armonaitė, and the President of the Confederation of Industrialists, Vidmantas Janulevičius, also attended the Business Forum opening ceremony.
French and Lithuanian politicians as well as representatives of business associations and companies who attended the event shared their insights and views on opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation, including in the fields of maritime economy, renewable energy, life sciences and digitalisation.
Prime Minister concluded her working visit to France on Tuesday with an informal meeting with French journalists, political scientists, and intellectuals to discuss the common response to the Russian aggression and support for Ukraine, the changed security situation in Europe, the strengthening of Europe's energy independence and economic sovereignty as well as the issues related to the future of Europe.