Prime Minister’s visit to Davos: focus on Ukraine, security, and Lithuania’s economic and business relations
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas participated in events and bilateral meetings at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. On the eve of the Forum, he met with members of the Lithuanian community in Switzerland. Today, the Prime Minister held discussions with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, took part in and spoke at the opening of Ukraine’s pavilion and exhibition, and met with leaders from the Council of Europe, international financial, technological, and scientific organizations.
“The brutal, unprovoked, and illegal full-scale war by Russia is approaching its third year. We count these days, months, and years with deep sorrow, but our support for Ukraine is timeless and will continue until victory and beyond. Because this is the defence of our collective freedom,” said Prime Minister Paluckas in the opening of Ukraine’s pavilion and an exhibition inviting support for Ukraine, where he participated together with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Ukrainian representatives.
Ukraine was also the main focus of the Lithuanian Prime Minister’s meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE), Alain Berset.
Highlighting the CoE’s role in defending international norms and the rule of law, Gintautas Paluckas expressed Lithuania’s strong support for the establishment of a Special Tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression. The Prime Minister said that we need an effective tribunal with broad interregional support—one that meets Ukraine’s legitimate expectations and is capable of delivering real justice and ensuring accountability for the crime of aggression, including holding Russia’s top political and military leadership, as well as that of Belarus, to account.
With Alain Berset, the Prime Minister discussed key actions and processes aimed at ensuring the aggressor’s accountability, the functioning of the registry of damages inflicted on Ukraine, and the CoE and Lithuania’s jointly established information centre for Belarusian citizens in Vilnius.
In his meeting with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti, the Prime Minister discussed Kosovo’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration, bilateral relations, the situation in the Western Balkans, and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Mr. Paluckas reaffirmed Lithuania’s support for Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations, emphasizing the importance of continuing the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo.
Issues of relevance for Lithuania were discussed with international organizations
As part of his visit to Davos, the Lithuanian Prime Minister also met with the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud-Basso, to discuss European and Lithuanian investment priorities and support measures for Ukraine. The Prime Minister emphasized Lithuania's appreciation of its long-standing partnership with the EBRD, which has supported the country’s advanced economic transformation.
In his meeting with Nasdaq President Adena Friedman, the Prime Minister discussed the development of capital markets in Lithuania and Europe, as well as the company’s plans in Lithuania.
Lithuania’s scientific and high-tech potential was also in focus during the visit to Davos. This topic was discussed with the President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Hiroshi Yamakawa. Gintautas Paluckas noted that Lithuania, an associate member of the European Space Agency since 2021, is still relatively young but nevertheless ambitious in the space technology sector, with institutions, research centres, and companies open to international projects. The Prime Minister remarked that closer cooperation with JAXA could serve as a promising avenue for strengthening Lithuania and Japan’s strategic partnership.
Last updated: 22-01-2025
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