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On April 9 Prime Minister of Lithuania Inga Ruginienė started her official visit in Azerbaijan by meeting President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Ali Asadov, and Speaker of Parliament Sahiba Gafarova. 

“Our nations stood together in solidarity more than three decades ago as we each sought to restore our independence. Today, Lithuania regards Azerbaijan as an important partner in the region and supports closer EU–Azerbaijan ties that benefit both parties in terms of security, stability, and economic prosperity. Russia’s war against Ukraine is destabilizing our regions and posing similar challenges to our countries, making our cooperation all the more important,” said Prime Minister Ruginienė.

The the meetings with the leaders of Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister noted that the economic ties between Lithuania and Azerbaijan have potential for growth—from high value-added sectors to the food industry—and the security dimension, including resilience to various hybrid threats.

The Prime Minister also highlighted Azerbaijan’s key role in strengthening the EU’s energy security and diversifying energy supplies, as well as its importance in developing the Trans-Caspian Transport Route with a view to improving connectivity between Europe and Central Asia.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Lithuania’s firm support for a comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as for all practical EU initiatives aimed at normalizing relations and ensuring long-term stability in the region.

The growing importance of cultural and academic ties and exchanges between Lithuania and Azerbaijan was also emphasized. Lithuanian universities are becoming an increasingly attractive destination for students and thus serving as meaningful bridges between the two countries.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė and the Lithuanian Delegation laid a wreath at the Alley of Martyrs and paid the solemn tribute to the victims of Black January.