Visit to ECFA by the Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lithuanian Parliament

On March 2, 2023, the Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lithuanian Parliament, Mr. Giedrius Surplys, visited ECFA, accompanied by the Ambassador of Lithuania in Cairo, Mr. Artūras Gailiūnas, to discuss means to enhance Egypt-Lithuania cooperation, in light of the delicate conditions that Europe and the world are currently witnessing. The two guests were received by Ambassadors/ Mohamed Al-Orabi and Ezzat Saad, ECFA Chairman, and ECFA Director, respectively.

The Lithuanian official indicated that his visit to ECFA is the second, after a previous visit in 2008, after which he called on his country’s officials to establish a think tank corresponding to the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, which was already done, but soon its presence gradually diminished. However, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre was established and deals with all international and regional issues.

The meeting also tackled bilateral relations between the two countries, and opportunities to enhance economic cooperation and trade exchanges between them, in particular, especially since Lithuania is technologically advanced in the fields of laser and cyberspace. The meeting also addressed the developments of the conflict in Ukraine, and the chances of settling it as soon as possible. In addition, the two sides discussed the developments in occupied Palestine, whereby ECFA expressed the need for an effective and active European role to put an end to the Israeli violations and racist practices against the Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories, similar to the European response to support and aid the Ukrainians in their ongoing crisis.