Dalia Grybauskaitė said during the meeting with Sergio Mattarella that “Lithuania and Italy are linked not only by meaningful historical, cultural and people-to-people contacts, but also by their strong commitment to the future of Europe and common security”.
“In the face of ongoing aggressive demonstration of military force, hybrid threats, terrorism and migration challenges, both countries understand that they can be overcome only by joint efforts,” the Lithuanian president’s press service said in a press release.
The two presidents discussed European security and preparations for NATO‘s upcoming summit. Grybauskaitė invited Italy to join the cyber rapid response force formation initiated by Lithuania.
They also exchanged views on migration challenges faced by Italy.
The meeting covered energy security issues as well.
“Like Lithuania, Italy seeks to diversify its energy sources to the greatest possible extent and understands the actual threats posed by Russia‘s geopolitical gas pipeline project Nord Stream 2,” the s press service said.
Grybauskaitė and Mattarella also discussed “the further development of business, scientific and cultural relations” between the two countries.
In Rome, Grybauskaitė will open Flux, a Lithuanian art festival held under the joint patronage of the Lithuanian and Italian presidents.