Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Landsbergis: “Even countries geographically distant from Europe need to understand that economic development and a shared sense of security depend on Ukraine’s victory in the war”

“We seek that countries geographically distant from Europe understand that economic development and a shared sense of security in various regions depend on Ukraine’s victory in the war. It is the shared responsibility of the EU-27 countries to maintain the leadership of support to Ukraine and to inspire the EU’s international partners to have faith in the importance of Ukraine’s victory,” the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy said when speaking on behalf of the EU.

During the meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Landsbergis shared his experience of Lithuania’s economic diversification and presented European changes in reducing dependence on Russia and other authoritarian regimes.

“In 1998, Lithuania realised how high the cost of economic and energy dependence on Russia could be. When Russia started the war against Ukraine, Lithuania’s experience inspired many European countries to reduce their economic dependence on Russia and China. Our experience and the difficult path we have taken can also benefit other regions,” said Landsbergis.

The Foreign Minister also invited the Malaysian Foreign Minister to visit Lithuania and proposed to resume talks on the Malaysia-EU economic cooperation agreement.

Malaysia is Lithuania’s partner No. 62 in terms of trade turnover. Economic relations between our countries are intensifying. In 2022, Lithuania’s exports to Malaysia amounted to EUR 31 million (+ 22 %), imports – EUR 24 million (+ 49 %), and trade turnover – EUR 55 million (+ 34 %).

EU Foreign Ministers and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell also discussed EU coordination on meetings with third countries in the margins of the UNGA to support global partners on priority issues. In the margins of the UNGA, EU foreign ministers will meet with representatives of 133 countries.