Moldovan president has meetings with top leadership of Lithuania

President Maia Sandu, on an official visit to Lithuania, today had meetings with  President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas and  with Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė.

The discussions focused on the support provided by Lithuania for the European integration of Moldova and on the progress achieved by the country. “In Brussels, within the European Council and in every room where our accession is discussed, Lithuania is a reliable friend,” the Moldovan head of state emphasized. President Maia Sandu announced the awarding of the Order of the Republic on her Lithuanian counterpart, Gitanas Nausėda, for the outstanding contribution to strengthening Moldovan-Lithuanian relations, as well as for the full support of our European path.

The interlocutors also addressed issues related to strengthening security and resilience, including cooperation in such areas as hybrid threats, cyber security and countering information manipulation. “In a neighborhood as tense as ours, this type of partnership is essential,” Maia Sandu noted.

They also examined opportunities to expand economic cooperation, including encouraging Lithuanian investments in Moldova. The Lithuanian group Invalda INVL is among the investors in the largest bank of Moldova. “We want more Lithuanian companies to discover Moldova. Investment opportunities are real, the business environment is improving and the EU accession process is creating new conditions for growth,” the Moldovan president said.

During the day, the head of state will also have a meeting with experts of international relations and European affairs.

The official visit continues on March 11, when President Maia Sandu will give a speech in the plenum of the Lithuanian Parliament, during a solemn meeting dedicated to the 36th anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania’s Declaration of Independence.