Vilnius, 24 October 2022 (TDI): The King of Belgium, Philippe Léopold Louis Marie, and Queen Mathilde are on an official visit to Lithuania beginning today till 26th October 2022.
The slogan set for the visit highlights the past relationship and shows the future intention of cooperation is “Solidarity rooted in the past, cooperation resolutely focused on the future”.
The three main themes to be discussed in the State meetings; Economic Relations, Military Relations, and Cultural Relations. Likewise, the green and digital revolution will be the state visit’s primary economic subject.
Belgium provides Lithuania with a knowledgeable and trustworthy partner for the growth of offshore wind energy, renewable energy sources, and building energy efficiency.
The State Visit will also emphasize the military partnership between Lithuania and Belgium. It is pertinent to note that Belgium has taken part in NATO operations in the Baltic nations since 2004.
By doing this, they help to ensure the safety of Lithuania & the other Baltic states.
For the purpose of cultural diplomacy, the official visit’s emphasis will be on strengthening collaborations between Belgian & Lithuanian academic & higher education institutions, both academically and culturally.
Moreover, Belgium and Lithuania will commemorate their bilateral ties’ 100th anniversary in 2022. This state visit honors a century of friendship, cooperation, and goodwill between the two nations, both bilaterally and as allies in international organizations.
Belgium and Lithuania share a long history of diplomatic ties. It has consistently backed Lithuania’s independence movement.
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Even before the Soviet Union annexed Lithuania, on December 27, 1922, Belgium recognized the Republic of Lithuania.
In March 1990, the then Foreign Minister of Lithuania, denied annexation, underlining that there was legally no need to recognize Lithuania again.
The shared history between both states has been a cornerstone for future cooperation. In this vein, the 2022 European Capital of Culture Kaunas will also be visited by the Belgian Royals.
