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This is an alternative to strengthen relations with China, from which Lithuania has recently increased its distance for fear of unwanted influence from Beijing.
“Lithuania values Japan as Asia’s most important partner, so we will strive to elevate our bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level of strategic partnership,” G. Landsbergis said in a statement to the media after the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Toshimitsu Motegi, who is visiting Vilnius.
“We have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in all areas and in all formats,” he added.
The Minister also supported the strategy initiated by Tokyo for a free and open India-Pacific region, which includes closer economic and political ties.
“We are in favor of closer cooperation between the European Union and like-minded countries in the region, and we support Japan’s vision of a free and open India and the Pacific,” Landsberg said.
The statements by the Lithuanian head of diplomacy reflect the government’s efforts to diversify foreign policy in Asia and focus on liberal democracies closest to values.
Relations between Vilnius and Beijing have deteriorated in recent months.
Lithuania has criticized the human rights situation in China, blocked Chinese investment, and the government has announced plans to open a trade mission in Taiwan, which China considers a rogue province.
All of this was crowned by Lithuania’s decision to withdraw from the Central and Eastern European countries and from China’s 17 + 1 cooperation format, calling on the EU to find a common position on relations with Beijing.
Mr. Landsbergis said that Lithuania would pay great attention to the opportunities of economic relations with Japan, which are opened by the agreements of the European Union.
He stated that Lithuania would cooperate with Japan in the fields of science and research, innovation, especially life sciences and health, transport and energy projects, using the infrastructure of the Klaipeda port.
“We are waiting for Japanese investments in Lithuania,” said the minister.
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