Statement by Prime Minister Solberg in Lithuania
Historical archive
Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: The Office of the Prime Minister
Speech/statement | Date: 08/09/2020
Statement by Prime Minister Erna Solberg after meeting Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis in Vilnius, 8 September 2020.
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It is a pleasure to visit Vilnius. And I would like to thank Prime Minister Skvernelis for a good meeting today.
Lithuania and Norway are close allies and partners. Our ties are stronger than ever.
This morning, I visited Norwegian soldiers at the NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania. Norway is proud of having contributed personnel to the eFP and to Baltic Air Policing. This adds to Lithuanian and European security and demonstrate our commitment to our Baltic allies.
Our economic ties are thriving. Norway’s export to Lithuania is tripled in 10 years, and Lithuania’s export to Norway has grown fivefold in the same period. Around 300 Norwegian companies are established in Lithuania. For example: Yara International has recently added 250 jobs in their shared services operation.
The EEA and Norway Grants are an important tool for Norway to contribute to building a green, competitive and inclusive Europe. I would like to thank Lithuania for great cooperation within the framework of the grants.
Through the EEA and Norway Grants, we also seek to enhance our bilateral ties. In a world that is less predictable than before, it is good to have friends on which we can rely. It is therefore of mutual interest for both Lithuania and Norway to strengthen our ties further. Build on our existing partnership. And look for new opportunities.