Despite historical upheavals, the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Lithuania has been preserved and nurtured over the years, said State President Luong Cuong.

Describing Vietnam as one of Lithuania’s leading partners in Southeast Asia, the Lithuanian President showed his delight at the positive momentum in bilateral ties and agreed that both sides should continue to enhance political trust and connectivity through various engagement channels.

Both sides agreed to continue strengthening contacts and exchanges at all levels, especially high-level visits, across all channels so as to further consolidate mutual political trust and understanding, and lay a solid foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Welcoming President Nauseda's historic visit, General Secretary Lam affirmed that this trip is an important milestone, contributing to promoting the Vietnam - Lithuania bilateral relationship more strongly, practically and effectively in the coming time.

This is the first high-level visit by a Lithuanian head of state to Vietnam in many years, demonstrating the importance both countries attach to their traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation and also heralding a new chapter for bilateral relations.

Vietnam and Lithuania officially established diplomatic ties on March 18, 1992. Over the past three decades, grounded in mutual political trust and goodwill, bilateral relations have steadily expanded across multiple sectors.

A highlight of the visit is the Lithuania–Vietnam Business Forum, where President Nausėda will deliver an opening address and convey important messages.

The official visit to Vietnam by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda is expected to witness the signing of a number of cooperation documents in potential areas such as trade - investment, education - training, high-tech agriculture, health care, clean energy and digital transformation.

As a member of the European Union (EU), Lithuania hopes that the two countries can fully utilise mechanisms such as the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and expects the President’s visit to be a strong boost to bilateral trade, Gaidys said.

With the foundation of solid friendship, political goodwill from both sides and the need for mutual development, Vietnam - Lithuania relations will continue to flourish strongly, substantially and comprehensively in the coming time.

Following the Cabinet's approval, Lithuania will submit its accession request to the current ASEAN Chair, Malaysia, for consideration.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart Gintautas Paluckas in Davos on January 21 (local time) on the occasion of the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and bilateral activities in Switzerland.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on October 25 held talks with his Lithuanian couterpart Gabrielius Landsbergis who is in Hanoi for an official visit to Vietnam and attendance at the OECD Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum.

The Vietnamese Government always treasures and wishes to strengthen its relations with Lithuania, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis in Hanoi on October 25.

President Vo Van Thuong received the newly accredited ambassadors of Ireland, Italy, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and Lithuania who came to present their credentials in Hanoi on August 29.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with the UK’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of China’s Hong Kong Algernon Yau Ying-wah, and Foreign Minister of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis in Paris on June 7.

Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on February 16 sent a message of greetings to President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania (February 16, 1918-2023).

“Vietnam's rise in reputation to become one of Asia's competitive sides is nothing short of meteoric. Strugglers in even regional competitions, the southeast Asians took the 2016 AFC Futsal Championship by storm by reaching the last four and booking their maiden qualification for the FIFA Futsal World Cup,” FIFA wrote.

Vietnam are pooled in Group D of the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup, alongside Brazil, the Czech Republic and Panama, following an official draw held at FIFA headquarters in Switzerland on June 1.

Vietnam are due to take on Lebanon on May 23 and May 25 in a two-legged tie played in the UAE, its final bid to advance to the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup finals in Lithuania in September.