Head of the Lithuanian diplomacy stressed that Japan was one of Lithuania’s key partners in Asia. This is illustrated by an active bilateral political and economic cooperation and partnership in multilateral frameworks. According to the Minister, Lithuania is grateful to Japan for its consistent financial support, which Japan has provided to Lithuania’s cultural institutions and for its constant attention to the centres of oriental studies, museums, theatres, libraries and research in Lithuania.

“I am glad that a long-term friendship between Japan and Lithuania is growing stronger and stronger and encompasses many spheres, and I am personally very pleased that Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Hirofumi Nakasone has been Lithuania’s friend for many years and the Chairman of Japan-Lithuania Parliamentary Friendship Association,” highlighted Minister V.Ušackas.

The Minister invited Japanese businessmen to attend the Asia-Europe Transport Development Forum during the ASEM Transport Ministers’ Meeting on 19 October in Vilnius. This Forum should contribute to a more active cooperation between Asian and European businessmen in the area of transport. It is expected that the Forum shall allow businessmen from more remote Asian countries to discover attractive investment possibilities in Lithuania.

ASEM is an informal process of dialogue and co-operation bringing together the 27 European Union Member States and the European Commission with 16 Asian countries and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat.

The Operating Committee for EU-Japan Fest is a non-governmental organisation. It was established by European Ambassadors residing in Japan and Japanese business and cultural figures in 1993, as Japan was preparing to take part in the events of the European Capital of Culture - Antwerp (Belgium).

The Operating Committee for EU-Japan Fest supports joint projects in culture and the arts during the annual events of the European Capital of Culture, also projects of Japanese and European artists.

The Operating Committee for EU-Japan Fest brought to Lithuania Japan’s Sanin Boys and Girls Chorus Little Phoenix, which gave a performance together with Ąžuoliukas Boy’s Choir and the Cork Children’s Chorus on 13 July at St.Catherine’s Church. The Committee has also supported the photograph exhibition “European Eyes on Japan” that opened at the Contemporary Art Centre. Works by photographer Artūras Valiauga, who worked in Niigata prefecture, are displayed at the exhibition. Moreover, the Committee supports a contemporary exhibition of the Japanese and Lithuanian art that will open on 14 July at Mykolas Žilinskas Art Gallery in Kaunas.