Vice-Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas: “Active Cooperation with Canada Opens Up Significant New Opportunities for Lithuanian Businesses”
Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristupas Vaitiekūnas was visiting Canada from October 19 to 23. Beginning his visit in Canada’s capital, Ottawa, the Vice-Minister met with Canada’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Thangaraj, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Yasir Naqvi, Deputy Minister of National Defence Wendy Hadwen, and Andrew Cardozo, Chair of the Canada–Lithuania Parliamentary Friendship Group, as well as other members of the group. They discussed bilateral cooperation, the development of economic and technological ties, Lithuania’s priorities for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, security challenges, and continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
During the meetings, the Vice-Minister emphasized that Lithuania values Canada as a strong ally and like-minded partner and seeks to expand cooperation in security, defence, the economy, trade, technology, and many other areas. He also thanked Canada for its significant contribution to security in the Baltic Sea region through the deployment of Canadian troops in neighbouring Latvia.
In Toronto, Vice-Minister Vaitiekūnas discussed opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation with Canadian business representatives. During a meeting with executives of Volatus Aerospace, an aviation and defence company that acquired Lithuanian technology company AISPECO, discussions focused on the company’s further development in Lithuania. New opportunities for Canadian investment in Lithuania were also discussed with representatives of other Canadian high-tech companies and the leadership of the Canada–Lithuania Chamber of Commerce. “Active cooperation with Canada opens up significant new opportunities for Lithuanian businesses,” the Vice-Minister said following the meetings.
During his visit, the Vice-Minister participated in the annual Toronto Global Forum, where more than 2,000 participants discussed economic challenges and opportunities in a changing world. Mr. Vaitiekūnas delivered a keynote address during a session on supply chain resilience, presenting Lithuania’s unique experience in ensuring economic and energy security. “We are ready to share our experience with all our partners,” the Vice-Minister told forum participants.
In Toronto, the Vice-Minister also took part in a discussion on continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The event was held at the University of Toronto and organized by the NATO Association of Canada, the Embassy of Lithuania in Canada, the Consulate General of Ukraine in Toronto, and the Lithuanian Canadian Youth Association. “Russia’s war against Ukraine is also a war against us. Therefore, we must continue and strengthen our support for Ukraine,” Mr. Vaitiekūnas emphasized during the discussion.
During his visit, the Vice-Minister also met with leaders of the Lithuanian Canadian community and various Lithuanian organizations and visited Lithuanian community centres in Toronto.
