CAIRO, Feb 11 (MENA) - Ambassador of Lithuania Artūras Gailinūs to Egypt has hailed Egypt's pivotal role in addressing the crises in the Middle East region and the country's mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement to save lives and deliver humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip.

Gailinūs described Cairo as a cornerstone for stability in the Middle East, North Africa and East Mediterranean and the Red Sea region.

The Lithuanian ambassador - in exclusive statements to MENA - said that his country supports the two-state solution between the Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side in peace, noting that there is no change in Lithuania's stance regarding the Palestinian issue.

He expressed appreciation for the Egyptian viewpoint regarding the situations in Lebanon, Syria, Sudan and Libya, underscoring the European Union's readiness to provide support to Lebanon, in order to achieve stability.

As regards the political dialogue between Lithuania and Egypt, Gailinūs stressed the importance of a reform meeting held between the Egyptian and Lithuanian presidents, on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai, the UAE.

Economic cooperation with Egypt has witnessed a steady growth recently, especially after the visit of the Lithuanian Minister of Transport Marius Skuodis to Cairo in April 2023, the ambassador said.

He added that the volume of trade exchange between Egypt and Lithuania has reached 149.32 million euros during 2024, with an increase of about 3.65 percent compared to 2023.

Gailinūs said that Egyptian exports to Lithuania are estimated at 88.57 million euros, while Egyptian imports from the northeastern European country have recorded 60.57 million euros.

He highlighted Lithuania's keenness to cooperate with Egyptian partners to promote economic cooperation through exchanging visits between businessmen from both countries.

Two delegations from the Egyptian Chambers of Commerce have visited Vilnius during 2022 and 2024, while a Lithuanian delegation visited Cairo during 2023, with a deal sealed on exporting Egyptian produce directly to Lithuania and enhancing cooperation in the field of information technology, Gailinūs noted. (MENA)
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