New opportunities for Lithuanian-Turkish business

VILNIUS - President Dalia Grybauskaite together with Turkish leader Abdullah Gul opened the Lithuania-Turkey business forum. Three agreements will be signed with a view to strengthening cooperation between the two countries - memorandum of understanding on railway project Viking and agreements among business associations and national broadcasters.

According to the President, a new stage of cooperation between Lithuania and Turkey opens up new opportunities for their business people.

"Our countries are strategically located on the northern and southern parts of the European continent. It provides us with the natural possibility and potential for strengthened cooperation in transport, logistics and transit sectors. The Viking project is a very positive illustration how we can connect the Baltic Sea region with the region of the Black and Caspian Seas as well as create more possibilities for growth," the President said welcoming the participants of the forum.

Inviting the scientists and entrepreneurs of Lithuania and Turkey to use more actively the huge potential in the sphere of innovations, the President called on investors to exploit the infrastructure developed in the five integrated science, studies and business valleys in Lithuania by implementing joint industrial research and development projects.

Closer cooperation among Lithuanian and Turkish business associations will help entrepreneurs to strengthen their market positions, share experience and develop joint projects. New direct flights from Istanbul to Vilnius - to be launched this summer - will also serve to promote bilateral ties and growth of business and tourism. An agreement to be signed between national broadcasters will provide possibilities to enhance cultural exchange and share information.