LITHUANIA AND MACEDONIA SIGN AN INVESTMENT PROMOTION AND PROTECTION AGREEMENT
On 7 March in Vilnius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis and Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Vasko Naumovski signed an investment promotion and protection agreement between the Government of Lithuania and the Government of Macedonia. This agreement is expected to strengthen bilateral economic ties.
During the meeting, Minister A.Ažubalis encouraged to intensify economic cooperation between Lithuania and Macedonia.
In 2010, Lithuania’s exports to Macedonia amounted to 5.9 million Litas (EUR 1.71 million). As compared with 2009, exports increased by five times. Lithuania’s imports from Macedonia reached 6.3 million Litas (EUR 1.82 million). As compared with 2009, imports increased by 24 times. Bilateral trade turnover amounted to12.2 million Litas (EUR 3.53 million).
Minister A.Ažubalis and Deputy Prime Minister V.Naumovski also discussed bilateral cooperation in the context of Macedonia’s integration into the European Union and NATO.
Minister A.Ažubalis supported Macedonia’s EU membership aspirations and encouraged the country to pursue the necessary reforms.
“Lithuania supports Macedonia’s EU and NATO membership. The Vilnius Ten goals will not be fully implemented without Macedonia in NATO. Lithuanian experts are ready to share their experience of reform process with Macedonia,” head of Lithuania’s diplomacy said after having signed the agreement.
Macedonia is the last country in the Vilnius Ten group, which has not joined NATO yet.
In May 2000, foreign ministers of ten Central and Eastern European countries held a meeting in Vilnius and agreed to closely cooperate and exchange information in aiming to join NATO. Later these countries were called the Vilnius Ten group.
Minister A.Ažubalis and Deputy Prime Minister V.Naumovski also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans and the political situation in Macedonia.
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the fulfillment of Macedonia’s goals relating to the EU membership and presented the objectives of Lithuania’s Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Representatives from both countries expressed their willingness and determination to cooperate in the future and to strengthen bilateral relations.
