News

On 29 January 2021, Ambassador Andrius Kalindra held a meeting with the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Georgia, Mr. Mikheil Chkhenkeli. The meeting took place at the Ministry premises.

Ambassador Kalindra and Minister Chkhenkeli discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and mutual interest between Lithuania and Georgia, addressing fields such as academia and youth exchange, which have been actively used by citizens of both states. Ambassador informed the Minister with regard to the successful work of the Lithuanian Language and Culture Center at Georgian Technical University where students from Georgia learn more about Lithuanian culture and study Lithuanian language. It was also pointed out that Georgian language center in Vilnius University and Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas are also a success, bringing more of Georgia to Lithuania. Minister noted that participation in the Erasmus + program also provides useful and diverse opportunities for mutual exchange and furthering cooperation.

Ambassador Andrius Kalindra expressed his wish to further develop cooperation in field of historical remembrance, encouraging the exchange of views with regard to history, where there is a number of past many similarities between the two countries. It was underlined by the Ambassador that according to recently uncovered information, there were two NKVD labor camps near Kutaisi under the Soviet Union where a number of Lithuanians together with peoples of other nationalities were held. Ambassador stated a wish to commemorate those persons who were forcibly brought to those camps, asking for Minister’s support for it.

Andrius Kalindra thanked the Minister for the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s attention devoted to the events of 13 January 1991, underscoring the special role that public broadcasting companies have in democratic states and expressing his confidence that cooperation between Lithuanian and Georgian public broadcasting companies will remain strong for the benefit of the people of both countries.

Ambassador shared with the Minister that Lithuania plans to introduce more and more of Lithuanian culture to Georgia, pointing out the specific example of a series of events planned for the end of May 2021 entitled “Window to Lithuania”, which will put various fields of Lithuanian culture on display for Georgian audiences. Andrius Kalindra appreciated the Minister’s support in successfully implementing this endeavor.

Finally, the role of sports and especially “basketball diplomacy” was also acknowledged ahead of the preparations for the 2022 EuroBasket qualification period in Georgia.