VILNIUS, October 19, BNS–Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė makes her first visit to Israel Monday, determined to give new momentum to bilateral relations with Israel, which she calls “the best ever in history.”
In Tel Aviv the Lithuanian president is scheduled to open the Global Lithuanian Economic Forum and the Global Litvak Forum. She is also to meet with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.
The Lithuanian president’s visit to Israel takes place during a recent outbreak of violence in the region which has claimed dozens of lives.
During meetings with Israeli leaders Grybauskaitė plans to discuss the geopolitical and security situation, Ukraine and Syria, the refugee crisis, fighting terrorism and ISIS and the peace process in the Middle East.
“At the present moment, relations between Lithuania and Israel are open and respectful, the best ever in history. Thus bilateral dialogue and cooperation at international organizations could gain new momentum,” Grybauskaitė said on the eve of her visit.
Lithuania is one of Israel’s strongest supporters in the EU. In 2011 it was among 14 countries voting against Palestinian membership in UNESCO. In September Lithuania abstained during a vote on allowing the Palestinian flag to fly outside the headquarters of the organization. The resolution was adopted with 119 votes in favor, 8 against and 45 abstentions.
The Lithuanian president plans to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum to honor the memory of Holocaust victims.
The Nazis and Lithuanian collaborators killed over 90 percent of Lithuania’s pre-war Jewish population of more than 200,000 during World War II. In 1998 in Israel, then-Lithuanian president Algirdas Brazaukas apologized for Lithuanians’ involvement in the massacre of Jews. Eight hundred Lithuanians have been recognized as Righteous Gentiles for saving Jews.
According to the presidential press service, Grybauskaitė’s meetings in Israel will also address cyber security and future opportunities for Lithuania to import natural gas from Israel.
Then-president of Israel Shimon Peres visited Lithuania in 2013.
BNS