Lithuania PM to visit Baku for economic, security talks

VILNIUS - Lithuania’s Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene is to visit Baku on Thursday for talks on economic ties and security cooperation.

"We have no doubt that this visit will contribute to strengthening the partnership between Lithuania and Azerbaijan in both the economic and security sectors," Ignas Algirdas Dobrovolskas, aide to the prime minister, said.

"Azerbaijan is one of the most important players in the region, and closer ties are significant for Lithuania and its business community. It is a strategically important country connecting Europe and Asia," he added.

In Baku, Ruginiene is scheduled to meet with President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Ali Asadov, and Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova. She will also hold talks with Khazar University Rector Razia Isayeva and the university's founder, Hamlet Isakhanli.

The prime minister's itinerary includes a wreath-laying ceremony at the Alley of Martyrs, the opening of a photography exhibition titled "Not All: Portraits of War Refugees by Lithuanian Photographers," and a meeting with the local Lithuanian community.