Press Advisories
30. 5. 2023 11:23
Prime Minister Petr Fiala received the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Ingrida Šimonytė
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to reminded that the Czech Republic sees Lithuania as a natural partner and ally, as both countries share the same values.
“We discussed strategic issues, geopolitical issues, how to continue to help Ukraine at the European level. We also talked about the situation in Belarus, which is not easy at all. Together, we can help shape EU and NATO policy using our unique historical views. It is very important that the NATO summit is being held in Vilnius, it is an important signal and symbol that NATO is aware of the danger it faces, that the North Atlantic Alliance is ready to strengthen the eastern wing and to do everything for the security of each member state. After all, the Czech Republic has also soldiers in Lithuania,”said Prime Minister Fiala.
The Czech Republic welcomes the NATO discussion on China and still hopes for Sweden's early entry into the North Atlantic Alliance. According to the Czech Prime Minister, it clearly shows that the close discussion between the EU and NATO is paying off.
“We are also discussing the possibility of strengthening cooperation in the defence industry, which is another area that is very important to us and our companies are successful in this area worldwide. We understand the need to invest more in defence. We are open in the debate on increasing the defence spending targets in Vilnius,” added Fiala.
The Prime Minister also reminded that Lithuania is a very important trading partner for the Czech Republic. The bilateral trade turnover has increased almost fivefold since 2003 and is characterised by a long-term positive balance. As of 2020, the turnover of bilateral trade amounts to more than EUR 1 billion annually. In April 2023, Vilnius Transport Company announced that the Czech company Škoda Group a.s. won the tender for the purchase of new trolleybuses for the capital. It is to deliver a total of 91 trolleybuses by 2025.
“It is not surprising that Lithuania is our largest trading partner among the Baltic States. We are pleased to see continued growth in bilateral trade, which reached EUR 1.5 billion in the last year 2022. I very much appreciate the specific order of 91 Czech-made trolleybuses for Vilnius. It is an encouraging example for us. There are still many opportunities to strengthen this cooperation,” appreciated Fiala.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania came to the Czech Republic from Slovakia. In addition to a working breakfast with Prime Minister Petr Fiala, she also met with the management of Masaryk University, visited Villa Tugendhat and saw the exhibition “Under Foreign Skies” commemorating the 80th anniversary of the first Soviet deportations from Lithuania to Siberia, which Prime Minister Fiala opened last year in Prague at Kampa together with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.
