News

On 10 July 2013, on his visit in Israel, the Deputy Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament G. Kirkilas together with the Parliamentary delegation met with the Speaker of the Knesset Y. Edelstein, the Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee A. Liberman, and the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Z. Elkin.

During the meeting, the Speaker of the Knesset Y. Edelstein congratulated Lithuania on assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and expressed the hope that Lithuania will make a significant contribution to the EU-Israeli relations. Y. Edelstein noted that the Lithuanian-Israeli relations have reached new heights over the past years, and are based on a mutual partnership. Over the past four years more than 30 high-level visits took place, the volumes of trade and tourism have doubled. Besides, from 27 October 2013, the airline “Wizz Air” is launching 2 weekly direct flights from Vilnius to Tel Aviv.

G. Kirkilas briefed about the priorities of the Lithuanian EU Presidency, noting that Lithuania will continue its efforts in deepening the Israeli-EU relations and mutual understanding. G. Kirkilas stated that the Lithuanian-Israeli relations cover more and more areas which lead to further friendship of the two nations and states.

During the meetings, the Israeli side expressed the appreciation of the Lithuanian efforts in ensuring the preservation of the rich Lithuanian Jewish cultural and historical heritage, in caring and respecting the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The meetings also covered the security challenges in the region, and the Middle East peace process.