On 22 May, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas met with the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is paying an official visit.

It is the first official visit to Lithuania of the high-ranking official from UAE, member of the royal family.

During their conversation, the Ministers dedicated the most attention to economic cooperation and the issues of cooperation infrastructure.

The Foreign Ministers of Lithuania and UAE stressed that it was necessary to exchange business delegations and agreed to organise annual bilateral consultations of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

Regular bilateral political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and UAE were endorsed by signing a Memorandum of Cooperation during the meeting.

As Lithuania’s turn to hold the EU Presidency is approaching, Minister V.Ušackas invited UAE to assist those Lithuanian diplomats, who will be working with the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, to get ready for the Presidency.

Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan showed interest in the projects that are carried out by Lithuania in Afghanistan, Ghor province. Possibilities of the implementation of joint projects were discussed.

During the meeting of delegations, the UAE delegation presented their goal to open headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi that is being constructed.

In Vilnius, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of UAE was received by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius.

In 2008, Lithuania’s exports to UAE amounted to 20.7 million Litas (6.0 million Euros) and, compared to 2007, increased by 0.7%. Lithuania’s exports to UAE made up 0.04% of all Lithuania’s exports. In 2008, Lithuania’s import from UAE amounted to 7.1 million Litas (2.1 million Euros) and, compared to 2007, was reduced by 69.2% in 2008. Lithuania’s imports from the UAE amounted to 0.01% of all Lithuania’s import.

In 2008, the trade turnover between Lithuania and UAE was 27.9 million Litas (8.1 million Euros). The Lithuanian trade balance with the UAE was positive and amounted to 13.6 million Litas (3.9 million Euros).

Direct investment of UAE into Lithuania on 1 January 2009 amounted to 0.9 million Litas (0.26 million Euros). There was no direct Lithuanian investment into UAE on 1 January 2009.