ROMA (ITALPRESS) – Lithuania and Italy see an increasing interest in creating new opportunities within their bilateral relations. He said that the ambassador of Lithuania in Rome, Dalia Krei becomes, interviewed by Claudio Brachino for Diplomacy Magazine, the column of geopolitics of the Italpress Agency. “The dialogue between Lithuania and Italy is now particularly dynamic, characterized by frequent contacts and increasing mutual interest in addressing together the main European and global challenges,” the ambassador noted. “Our president, Gitanas Nauseda, made two visits to Italy this year. He met the President of the Council, Giorgia Meloni, and during his most recent visit the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. These meetings at the highest level reflect the growing interest of both countries, not only in consolidating existing links, but also in creating new opportunities for cooperation in key areas such as innovation, defence and security industry, life sciences and all other sectors that are important to our countries. Today we are partners within the European Union, we are also allies in NATO, united even more closely by the current geopolitical challenges and in particular by Russian aggression against Ukraine,” said the head of diplomatic mission in Rome.
“I would like to underline that Russia is a threat not only for neighbouring countries, but for all Europe, and if we allow Russia to change the borders of Europe by force we put global sovereignty at risk,” Krei becomes. “So strengthening Ukraine’s positions is essential to achieve a just, understanding and lasting peace agreement, which not only will help Ukraine but also contribute to the security of the entire European space. At the same time, we must strengthen our collective commitment to defence and security,” he concluded.
Returning to bilateral relations, Italy confirmed, in 2024, as the 13th target market for Lithuanian exports, in a bilateral exchange of approximately 2.2 billion euros. According to the ambassador, “you can do” more. “Our goal is that Italy enters the top 10 of Lithuania’s business partners. I think growth can be accelerated by strengthening cooperation in areas where Lithuania is strong. For example, I would focus on life sciences, engineering, high tech, automotive, information and communication technologies, and as I have already mentioned the defense industry, cybersecurity and space technologies. In today’s complex geopolitical context, the defence industry plays an even greater role and Lithuania is significantly increasing its defence spending. We see many opportunities for collaboration with the Italian industry and not only in purchases, but especially in joint industrial projects. We also want a stronger Italian presence in Lithuania. I think that these industrial collaborations, joint research projects, commercial missions, new investments are key tools to increase these figures and to bring even closer the economies of our countries,” said the diplomat.
The presence of about 50 Italian companies in Lithuania is a positive factor, but the investments are still lower than the potential according to the ambassador. “We see Italy as a country with great industrial potential, Italy invests a lot abroad and I am convinced that in our country the opportunities are still little exploited,” he added, citing among the examples already present in Lithuanian territory the pharmaceutical group Menarini and the Fos group in the biomedical sector. “There are various agreements between business organizations, such as that between Lithuanian and Italian clusters of life sciences. Also in the defence sector, there are the memorandum of understanding signed in Rome last October. These agreements create an excellent basis for developing joint projects and confirm that there is growing mutual interest,” he concluded.
“Life is a strategic choice for Italian entrepreneurs. We offer a stable environment, competitive costs and qualified personnel. Thanks to the Green Corridor legislative package, the so-called Green Corridor, big investments can get zero percent corporate tax for 20 years,” he added, citing also “fast procedures” and simplified administrative routes. “Also there is always the State Agency Invest Lithuania that accompanies companies at every stage,” he continued.
On the front of Lithuanian companies, Kreicome observed that these see the Italian market as a focus on which to focus attention, especially in the field of digital technologies. “A good example is the opening of the new office in Teltonika, a Lithuanian group specializing in digital technologies and the so-called Internet of Things,” he added. The relationship between two countries cannot ignore the cultural one, as evidenced by the Lithuanian Culture Programme in Italy promoted by the Institute of Lithuanian Culture and the Embassy. “His purpose is to start an authentic and lasting dialogue between the Lithuanian artistic scene and the Italian cultural panorama. So through the collaboration between the Lithuanian Institute of Culture and the Embassy of Lithuania in Italy, our artists will be present in festivals, museums, theatres and cultural spaces,” he said. “This approach allows for organic exchanges, sustainable professional relationships and sharing ideas, values and vision of the future,” the ambassador noted.
– Photo Italpress –
(ITALPRESS).
