FOREIGN Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys has expressed Lithuania’s strong interest in establishing formal diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea (PNG), paving the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko has welcomed the initiative, showcasing PNG as a vibrant, resource-rich nation eager to expand its global footprint with like-minded partners.
Minister Budrys expressed the interest during a bilateral between the two countries in Manila on 24th July to establish diplomatic relations and explore potential economic partnerships.
The discussions underscored a mutual commitment to leveraging each nation’s unique strengths, particularly combining PNG’s vast natural wealth with Lithuania’s technological and infrastructure capabilities.
Lithuania also expressed keen interest in partnering on the construction of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities, matching Papua New Guinea’s expanding LNG sector.
Discussions highlighted PNG’s key role in global food security, notably supplying roughly 14% to 18% of global tuna, alongside thriving mining and natural resource sectors.
Foreign Minister Tkatchenko affirmed that Australia and China remain Papua New Guinea’s largest trading partners, explicitly reaffirming the nation’s steadfast adherence to the One China Policy.
Recognizing the critical role of modern telecommunications in economic growth, the ministers explored technical collaboration. Minister Tkatchenko highlighted Papua New Guinea’s ongoing deployment of Starlin capabilities to bridge connectivity gaps, prompting shared interest from Lithuania to cooperate on digital communication infrastructure.
The conversation highlighted PNG’s commitment to maritime security, referencing its active Shiprider agreements with the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as Papua New Guinea’s comprehensive security alliance pact with Australia.
Both foreign ministers concluded the meeting with a shared optimism for the future, agreeing to formalize diplomatic frameworks that promote mutual prosperity, technological progress, and enduring international cooperation.