Lithuania builds Israeli ties

VILNIUS - Lithuania and Israel will cooperate in industrial research and experimental development as the governments of the two countries signed an agreement on bilateral cooperation in the private sector, reports news agency ELTA. The agreement was signed on Dec. 20 by Economy Minister Dainius Kreivys and Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Benyamin Ben Eliezer.

“This agreement will help develop and strengthen the Lithuanian-Israeli mutual cooperation in economic, industrial, technological and trade cooperation, promote innovation and economic growth, and foster the competitiveness of both countries,” Economy Minister Kreivys said.

It is envisaged that this agreement will be implemented by the Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, leading the official delegation’s trip to Israel, had breakfast with Lithuanian honorary consuls in Israel Haim Ariel, Amnon Dotan, Amos Eiran, and Chairman of the Israel-Lithuania Chamber of Commerce Len Judes. During the meeting they exchanged views on fostering bilateral relations between Lithuania and Israel and further development of cooperation.

After breakfast the delegation visited the Better Place company, a global provider of electric vehicle networks and services. The prime minister personally drove an electric car. “Quite good cars,” the prime minister remarked after showing his driving skills.
According to the adviser to Kubilius, Virgis Valentinavicius, the head of government did not consider seriously the possibility that the Lithuanian people could use electric cars on a massive scale or project what such infrastructure could cost for the country, but he noted that a bright future depended on electricity-powered vehicles.

Vice-president of Better Place, Dan Cohen, and external relations manager Batia Ofer, who accompanied Kubilius, said that the company’s ambitious aim to reduce global dependency on oil was slowly becoming a reality, and the infrastructure network of electric cars was successfully developed not only in Israel, but also in Denmark, Australia, California, Hawaii and the other countries the governments of which support the use of electric vehicles.

On Dec. 22, the Lithuanian prime minister participated in a solemn dinner hosted by Board Chairman of Better Place, Idan Ofer, one of Israel’s most influential businessmen.