The head of Lithuanian diplomacy Gabrielius Landsbergis, who is visiting the Philippines, discussed bilateral relations and the potential of cooperation with his counterpart from this country.
As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, G. Landsbergis also discussed economic cooperation and the security situation in the meeting with Enrique A. Manal.
The minister said that Lithuania is ready to start developing bilateral projects with the Philippines in the areas of economic cooperation and security, mentioned that Lithuania’s experience in energy can be useful in order to resist China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea, and invited representatives of the Philippines to participate in the conference on the fight against economic coercion in Vilnius.
“We see the Philippines as a growing, stabilizing force in ASEAN and the wider region. Lithuania wants to expand and deepen our partnership by diversifying supply chains, strengthening economic security and at the same time defending the rules-based international order,” said G. Landsbergis.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is the first visit of a Lithuanian foreign minister to the Philippines.
G. Landsbergis also welcomed the consistent position of the Philippines in supporting all United Nations resolutions on Ukraine and emphasized that the security threats in the South China Sea and the war against Ukraine are “challenges posed by revisionist forces that must be answered unanimously.”
“The rules-based international order in the world will remain only in the event of Ukraine’s victory and when Russia is held accountable for all violations of international law. We have to help Ukraine resist, this will provide an opportunity to reduce the pressure in the South China Sea region,” said G. Landsbergis.
The meeting discussed the potential to expand economic cooperation in the fields of lasers, information technologies, academic exchanges, culture and sports.
The two ministers also participated in the signing of memorandums of cooperation between the Lithuanian and Philippine basketball and football federations.
During Mr. Landsberg’s visit, meetings are also planned with the country’s President Ferdinand Marcos, the Ministers of Energy, Trade and Industry, Cardinal Jose F. Advincula of Manila, representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the Philippine Business Association.
From the Philippines, the minister will pay a visit to South Korea, where the Lithuanian Embassy in Seoul will be inaugurated, and meetings will be held with the new Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul.
