Visit by His Excellency Dr Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania, Government House

[E&OE]

[Acknowledgement of Country]

Your Excellency, it is pleasure to welcome you, the First Lady and your accompanying delegation to Australia.

I hope you enjoy your first visit to our shores.

Your presence here today demonstrates the strength of the friendship between our two countries and the importance we both place on our bilateral relationship.

That relationship is founded upon mutual respect, a connection between our people, a shared commitment to democratic values and a rules-based international order.

Australia commends Lithuania’s leadership on building international opposition to Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

As a front-line strategic player in the war, Lithuania’s actions demonstrate great courage and reflect its significant sphere of influence.

Lithuania has long weathered the forms of hybrid warfare practised by Russia and its proxies, including in the cyber domain.

I note that Lithuania ranks with the other Baltic states as a global leader in fighting cyber-attacks and economic coercion.

Australia can learn much from Lithuania in this area.

Last year’s opening of your Embassy here in Canberra under His Excellency Ambassador Degutis will enable our two countries to move forward bilaterally on these issues and in our trading relationship.

As you know, two-way trade is heavily weighted in Lithuania’s favour! But Australia does not mind that because we value your imports.

We are also grateful for your steadfast support for Australia’s bid to finalise a comprehensive trade agreement with the European Union.

Any opportunity we have to meet our international friends and further strengthen our ties is both special and important.

A testament to that is the Australian contingent at this table.

We have representatives from the Australian Parliament, international affairs, defence and security, and trade and investment.

We value our relationship.

We are grateful for your visit.

We look forward to our shared future.

I hope you and the First Lady enjoy the Australian hospitality and have an opportunity to return to Australia again in the future.

[Ends]