Lithuanian president focuses on ties with diaspora during Ireland visit

VILNIUS - Lithuania and Ireland, at different times, experienced significant emigration due to economic hardships, yet both have managed to maintain strong ties with their respective diasporas, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said during his visit to Ireland on Thursday.

"We can learn from each other how to preserve national identity, strengthen community connections, promote national education, and encourage political engagement among the diasporas. I am pleased to know that Ireland warmly welcomes Lithuanians and provides Lithuanian language classes in some general education schools, enabling Lithuanian children to maintain a connection with their native culture," he said during his meeting with Irish President Michael Higgins.

According to the Lithuanian leader, an active Lithuanian community in Ireland fosters cultural exchange and economic cooperation between the two countries. One notable opportunity to attract more Irish tourists to Lithuania is the annual celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in Vilnius, when the Vilnele River is dyed green.

"Today, we can once again witness the strength of the bilateral relations between Lithuania and Ireland. At the same time, we have great potential to further develop our political, economic and cultural cooperation," Nauseda said.

The meeting also touched upon Russia’s war against Ukraine and the complex security and humanitarian situation in the Middle East. Nauseda emphasized that Russia’s aggressive and destabilizing policies pose a threat not only to Ukraine but to all of Europe.