Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas: Lithuania and Israel share the same understanding about the global situation and the tasks to be fulfilled to ensure security

Press release, 13 September 2017

Photo of the Office of the Seimas (author Džoja Gunda Barysaitė)

On 13 September 2017, Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas, had a meeting with the delegation from the Knesset of the State of Israel headed by Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, Speaker of the Knesset, who had arrived in Lithuania on an official visit. The Speakers and members of the Lithuanian and Israeli parliaments discussed geopolitical and security challenges and new hybrid threats. Viktoras Pranckietis was convinced that Lithuania and Israel share the same understanding about the global situation and the tasks that are to be fulfilled with a view to ensuring security.

“Our cooperation in the field of security is increasing. We know that cyber threats respect no borders; therefore, international cooperation facilitating the sharing of knowledge and good practice is of particular importance,” the Speaker said.  

Increased economic cooperation, growing trade volumes, and ever larger numbers of tourists from Israel were also covered during the meeting. The opportunity was taken to welcome the successful cooperation in science, technology and innovation, in particular in life sciences.

“We see even greater potential for the development of cooperation in high-tech sectors, such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, engineering industry, medical research and education,” said Viktoras Pranckietis.

The Speaker of the Seimas noted that Lithuania is proud of its rich history and abundance of cultural heritage. He also welcomed constructive and friendly cooperation between local and global Jewish organisations and the Lithuanian Jewish Community.

The meeting was attended by Michal Rozin, member of the Knesset; Amir Maimon, Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Republic of Lithuania; Juozas Bernatonis, Chair of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs; Emanuelis Zingeris, Head of the Seimas Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with the State of Israel and member of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs; and Edminas Bagdonas, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the State of Israel.  

Dalia Vencevičienė, Senior Adviser to the Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6016, mob. +370 698 42 071, e-mail: [email protected]