Budrys meets UAE minister for talks on Middle East, ties

VILNIUS - Lithuania's foreign minister-designate Kestutis Budrys met United Arab Emirates Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh on Monday to discuss bilateral ties and the security situation in the Middle East.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, also covered support for Ukraine and the European Union-United Arab Emirates agenda, the Foreign Ministry said.

Discussing security in the Middle East, Budrys said Lithuania supports efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, reduce tensions and strengthen regional stability.

According to the ministry, Budrys stressed the importance of close cooperation with Gulf Cooperation Council states to ensure operational effectiveness.

He said Lithuania condemns Iranian attacks against the United Arab Emirates and other countries in the region.

The minister-designate also said recent security challenges in the region had increased cyber threats, prompting Lithuania to propose stronger practical cooperation in this field.

According to Budrys, Lithuanian technology companies are active in the United Arab Emirates market and see significant opportunities to expand partnerships in advanced technologies and life sciences.

"We see the United Arab Emirates as economic partners with great potential. We see opportunities to expand trade and investment ties, especially in high-tech sectors," Budrys said.

The minister-designate expressed Lithuania's support for European Union-United Arab Emirates free trade agreement negotiations, invited the United Arab Emirates to contribute to Lithuanian-led reconstruction projects in Ukraine, and called for more active participation in international efforts to prevent the circumvention of sanctions against Russia.