ROME (ITALPRESS) – Lithuania and Italy are seeing rising interest in creating new opportunities within their bilateral relationship. This was stated by Lithuania’s ambassador to Rome, Dalia Kreiviene, in an interview with Claudio Brachino for Diplomacy Magazine, the geopolitics section of the Italpress news agency.
“The dialogue between Lithuania and Italy is currently particularly dynamic, marked by frequent contacts and a growing mutual interest in jointly addressing the major European and global challenges,” the ambassador noted. “Our president, Gitanas Nausėda, has made two visits to Italy this year. He met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and, during his most recent visit, with President Sergio Mattarella. These high-level meetings reflect the growing interest of both countries not only in consolidating existing ties, but also in creating new opportunities for cooperation in key sectors such as innovation, the defence and security industry, life sciences, and all the other sectors important to our nations. Today we are partners within the European Union and allies in NATO, united even more closely by current geopolitical challenges, particularly Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” said the head of the diplomatic mission in Rome.
“I would like to stress that Russia represents a threat not only to neighbouring countries, but to all of Europe, and if we allow Russia to change Europe’s borders by force, we put global sovereignty at risk,” Kreiviene continued. “Strengthening Ukraine’s position is therefore essential to achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace agreement, which will not only help Ukraine but also contribute to the security throughout Europe. At the same time, we must reinforce our collective commitment in the field of defence and security,” she concluded.
Turning to bilateral relations, Italy confirmed its position in 2024 as the 13th-largest destination market for Lithuanian exports, with total bilateral trade amounting to around €2.2 billion. According to the ambassador, “more can be done.”
“Our goal is for Italy to enter Lithuania’s top ten trading partners. I believe growth can be accelerated by strengthening cooperation in sectors where Lithuania is strong. For example, I would highlight life sciences, engineering, high tech, automotive, information and communication technologies, and, as I have already mentioned, the defence industry, cybersecurity and space technologies. In today’s complex geopolitical context, the defence industry plays an even more important role and Lithuania is significantly increasing its defence spending. We see many opportunities for collaboration with Italian industry, not only in procurement but above all in joint industrial projects. We also want a stronger Italian presence in Lithuania. I believe these industrial collaborations, joint research projects, trade missions and new investments are key tools to boost these figures and bring our economies even closer,” the diplomat said.
The presence of around 50 Italian companies in Lithuania is a positive factor, but investment levels remain below potential, the ambassador added. “We see Italy as a country with great industrial potential. Italy invests heavily abroad, and I am convinced that opportunities in our country remain underexploited,” she said, citing among the companies already operating in Lithuania the Menarini pharmaceutical group and the Fos group in the biomedical sector.
“There are various agreements between business organisations, such as the one between the Lithuanian and Italian life sciences clusters. In the defence sector as well, there are memorandums of understanding signed in Rome last October. These agreements provide an excellent basis for developing joint projects and confirm that mutual interest is growing,” she noted.
“I would say Lithuania is a strategic choice for Italian entrepreneurs. We offer a stable environment, competitive costs and a skilled workforce. Thanks to the Green Corridor legislative package, large investments can benefit from a zero-percent corporate tax rate for 20 years,” she added, also citing “fast procedures” and simplified administrative pathways. “Furthermore, the state agency Invest Lithuania supports companies at every stage,” she said.
On the Lithuanian business side, Kreiviene observed that companies view the Italian market as “a focus” for their expansion, particularly in the field of digital technologies. “A good example is the opening of the new Milan office of Teltonika, a Lithuanian group specialising in digital technologies and the so-called Internet of Things,” she added.
The relationship between the two countries cannot overlook the cultural dimension, as demonstrated by the Lithuanian Culture in Italy programme promoted by the Lithuanian Culture Institute and the Embassy. “Its aim is to initiate an authentic and lasting dialogue between the Lithuanian arts scene and the Italian cultural landscape. Through cooperation between the Lithuanian Culture Institute and the Lithuanian Embassy in Italy, our artists will be featured in festivals, museums, theatres and cultural venues,” she explained.
“This approach enables organic exchanges, sustainable professional relationships and the sharing of ideas, values and visions for the future,” the ambassador concluded.
– Photo Italpress –
(ITALPRESS).
