Prime Minister welcomes President of Malta George Vella
The meeting between Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė and President George Vella of Malta highlighted Lithuania’s and Malta’s unwavering support for Ukraine and commitment to upholding the rules-based international order, as both nations celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. Lithuania and Malta stand united against the instrumentalization of migration, emphasizing the importance of solidarity in addressing shared challenges.
‘As members of the European Union family, we share a number of common challenges and issues to be resolved, foremost among them being Russia’s continued war against Ukraine and its undisguised readiness for a long-term confrontation with the democratic world. Putin hopes that our strategic patience and will to support Ukraine will run out. We must show that this is just another miscalculation on his part. Other scenarios will only embolden the aggressor to act’, said Prime Minister Šimonytė.
The reorientation of the Russian economy towards war, the Prime Minister added, is a sign of its readiness to engage in long-term confrontation and war for as long as possible. Russia itself will not stop, it can only be stopped, and it must be stopped in Ukraine. The longer the war goes on, the cost of stopping Russia will only increase and the appetite of the aggressor will grow, which is why we must help Ukraine to achieve victory as soon as possible, stressed Prime Minister Šimonytė.
Russia does not confine itself to creating conflicts in its neighbourhood, we see its involvement in Africa, and it has tried and will continue to try to instrumentalise irregular migration in vulnerable regions of the world. As noted at the meeting, the instrumentalisation of migration, which threatens both Lithuania and Malta, must be tackled with solidarity.
The parties also noted the need to enhance cooperation between Lithuania and Malta, especially in the economic field, as well as in life sciences, renewable energy, and agriculture.
The security situation in the Middle East was also among the topics discussed.
