Lithuanian formin calls Vietnam one of like-minded countries in Indo-Pacific region

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis met with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi on Wednesday and agreed to deepen relations between Vilnius and Hanoi, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said.

"Vietnam is one of the key like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region, and Lithuania is pleased to see the opening of a wider two-way gateway between the European Union and Asia," Landsbergis said.

"We see Vietnam as a growing, stabilizing force both in the ASEAN and in the wider region. Lithuania wants to broaden and deepen our partnership by diversifying our supply chains, strengthening our economic security, and at the same time defending the rules-based international order," the minister said.

"Today, we signed a memorandum of understanding between our two ministries and it will provide further impetus to move towards closer and broader cooperation," Landsbergis said, adding that cooperation between the two countries is growing in economic, energy and smart technology fields.

"This is a clear proof that geographical distances do not matter when you meet a responsible and reliable partner," Lithuania's top diplomat said.

The two ministers also discussed support for Ukraine and developments in the Middle East.

"Both countries rely on a rules-based international order to ensure the security and well-being of our people. Whether it is Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East or a future crisis, any breach of the international order will affect us all," Landsbergis underlined.

On Wednesday, the Lithuanian foreign minister is also scheduled to meet with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Later this month, Landsbergis will visit Singapore and Indonesia.