The Prime Minister welcomed Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs on his first visit to Thailand in 22 years. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, advanced technology, and food sectors, aiming to connect Thai investment opportunities with European and Baltic markets.
On 27 July 2026 at 15:00, at the Ivory Room, Thai Khu Fah Building, Government House, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that H.E. Mr. Kestutis Budrys, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul during his official visit to Thailand. The two sides held a cordial and friendly discussion and reaffirmed their intent to elevate cooperation across various sectors between Thailand and Lithuania.
The Prime Minister welcomed Lithuania's Foreign Minister, marking the first ministerial visit in 22 years. He expressed pleasure at the significant development in bilateral relations, viewing this visit as a new impetus to drive cooperation at government, business, and civil society levels. Lithuania emphasized that this visit reflects its government’s intent to expand its role in the Indo-Pacific region and increase economic and diplomatic engagement with Thailand and ASEAN, while inviting the Prime Minister for an official visit to Lithuania in the future.
Both sides agreed that trade value between Thailand and Lithuania remains modest relative to their potential and should jointly encourage the private sector to leverage each other's strengths. Thailand has strong food and agro-processing industries, while Lithuania, as a major Baltic country, is proficient in advanced technology, digital innovation, and innovative industries. This will help create new supply chains and increase trade and investment opportunities together.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister requested Lithuania’s support in advancing the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations and Thailand’s accession to the OECD. Lithuania affirmed its support for both issues, sharing its OECD membership experience and offering to transfer useful knowledge to Thailand.
Additionally, both parties discussed expanding cooperation in technology and innovation. Lithuania highlighted its strengths in cybersecurity, data centers, smart grid electricity networks, energy technology, and digital infrastructure development. The Prime Minister expressed interest in promoting collaboration in technology, cybercrime prevention, medical technology, research, and STEM fields to enhance both countries’ competitiveness.
Lithuania also invited Thailand to participate in the international bioscience and innovation conference next year and to advance a memorandum of understanding between their innovation agencies. They agreed to promote collaboration among universities, research institutions, and startup ecosystems, especially to translate research into commercial applications. Lithuania shared its experience in rapidly developing technology from labs to industry.
Regarding industry, both sides exchanged views on global supply chain development, the electric vehicle (EV) industry, and investment attraction. The Prime Minister stated that Thailand is accelerating its transition to EV manufacturing, promoting greater use of domestic components. He noted that the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement would open opportunities for European, including Lithuanian, businesses to participate more in Thailand’s future industry supply chains.
Furthermore, both sides agreed to promote cooperation in education, research, food technology, and exchanges of students and researchers to jointly develop personnel and innovation. They also supported closer links among businesses, startups, and educational institutions of both countries.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister emphasized Thailand’s readiness to work closely with Lithuania to translate the discussions into concrete outcomes in trade, investment, technology, and people-to-people connections. He expressed confidence that this visit will mark an important starting point to elevate Thailand-Lithuania relations and open new opportunities for Thailand in European and Baltic markets.
