President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus presented letters of credence to the new ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the Republic of Italy Petras Zapolskas.
 
The President urged the Ambassador to work actively towards developing Lithuanian-Italian relations based on long-lasting traditions and shared values, promoting cultural and scientific cooperation, and exploiting the economic potential.

President Adamkus expressed hope the new ambassador would successfully solve the longstanding issue of the pre-war Lithuanian embassy Villa Lithuania. This is a minor obstacle, the President said, but it is like a stone in a shoe, which has to be removed if we are to develop our bilateral relations with full force.

The new ambassador takes up his office on 27 April 2009.