Caption: Ms. Irena Skardžiuvien_ (Minister Counsellor), Ambassador Asta Skaisgir.Photo:SUPPLIED.
15th January, London – Fiji’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mr Solo Mara met today with the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the UK, Her Excellency Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė.
The meeting, which was held at the Fijian High Commission in London, saw the two envoys discuss ways to strengthen relations between the two nations.
Her Excellency pointed out that Fiji’s position as a popular tourism destination grows interest amongst Lithuanians. She added that a possible visa exemption for Lithuanians would boost tourist arrivals from Lithuania to Fiji. She added that as an open economy, Lithuania welcomed the trade of Fijian products in her country.
High Commissioner Mara also took the opportunity to inform Her Excellency of the political developments in Fiji and the work carried out to advance its socioeconomic growth through tourism, trade and investment. During discussions, he pointed that as an island nation, Fiji was affected by climate change. He said that while adaptive measures were in place, communities and villages were being relocated because of rising sea levels. He added that other countries in the region were affected.
In response, Ambassador Liauškienė conveyed her nation’s hope that the 2015 Climate Change Paris negotiations would provide a positive outcome not only for Fiji but other small island countries affected by climate change. Her Excellency added that Lithuania would assist Fiji through strengthened bilateral relations and through the ACP-EU development cooperation.
The Republic of Lithuania and Fiji established diplomatic relations in January 2014. The Lithuanian Embassy in the United Kingdom has the responsibility of overseeing bilateral relations with Fiji.
DEPTFO