Prime Minister: German-Lithuanian relations are as good as never before

Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis met with Norbert Lammert, President of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany, to discuss possibilities for further Lithuania-Germany bilateral cooperation, regional security and other relevant issues on the EU agenda.

“The German-Lithuanian relations are as good as never before. Germany is one of the most important Lithuania’s partners in Europe, the EU and NATO. Our countries share close political, economic, and cultural ties”, said Prime Minister Skvernelis.

The Prime Minister thanked the German Government for the leadership in shaping the NATO forward presences forces in Lithuania. According to the Prime Minister, the deployment of the Allied forces in the Baltic States and Poland is an extremely important decision that markedly reinforces the regional security.

The Head of Government noted the current particularly close cooperation between the Lithuanian and German Ministries of Defence, including Lithuania’s participation as part of the German units in the EU Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean, the UN mission in Minusma Mali, and as regards the training of the troops in Hamburg Military Academy.

"We feel Lithuanian Government’ s support in addressing common EU challenges, and we are very much appreciative of it”, said Norbert Lammert, President of the German Parliament, thanking Lithuania for the solidarity in addressing the migration problem in the EU.

Prime Minister Skvernelis welcomed the vigorous economic cooperation between Lithuania and Germany. “For the Lithuanian business, Germany is the most important market for the goods of the Lithuanian origin. Lithuania’s exports to Germany exceed those to the USA, China and Japan combined”, said Saulius Skvernelis, noting also the particular activeness of the German investors in the country.

The Prime Minister expressed interest in the German dual vocational education system, which may be of relevance for Lithuania in reforming education.

At the end of the meeting, The Prime Minister shared his joy about the Lithuanian Independence Act, which was found in Germany. “It is symbolic that the document has been found in the archives of Germany, our close friend”, said the Prime Minister.