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On March 25, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Julius Pranevičius greeted the newly formed Commission of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the World Lithuanian Community, which gathered for its first meeting.
“The long history of Lithuania’s state development shows that Lithuanians worldwide have always been a strong support for Lithuania and have significantly contributed to its formation. The Commission of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the World Lithuanian Community, operating for 30 years now, is a symbol of cooperation between the Lithuanian state and Lithuanians around the world,” said J. Pranevičius while addressing the Commission, which had just started its spring session.
In his speech, the vice minister emphasized that today, amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, it is especially important to strengthen the community spirit of Lithuania’s diaspora and their engagement in Lithuanian life in order to achieve our common goal — a safe Lithuania and Europe:
“It is important for all of us not to tire and to continue mobilizing political and financial support both in Lithuania and abroad for Ukraine, its Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations, and ensuring the security of our region.”
The action plan for implementing the XIX Government Program includes priorities such as strengthening the community spirit and engagement of Lithuania’s diaspora, building security and prosperity in Lithuania, and encouraging return migration. Vice Minister J. Pranevičius, presenting updates on diaspora policy implementation, welcomed the increase in the number of state institutions and municipalities involved in diaspora policy, the expansion of Lithuanian-language education abroad, growing civic activity within the diaspora, and their involvement in joint initiatives with Lithuania. The vice minister also mentioned a positive trend regarding return migration: for five consecutive years, the number of Lithuanian citizens returning has exceeded those leaving.
Vice Minister J. Pranevičius thanked both former and current Commission members for their long-standing work, wishing the newly formed Commission focus and meaningful decisions in the common goal — to create a united, strong, and future-ready global Lithuania.
The Commission of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the World Lithuanian Community is a permanent Seimas commission, formed for the duration of the Seimas term. The Commission has been operating since 1995 and consists of 10 members from the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and 10 members from the World Lithuanian Community. The Commission’s purpose is to promote cooperation between Lithuania and its diaspora, to oversee mutual assistance and support, exchange scientific, cultural, and other information, and to provide proposals to the Seimas and other state institutions to help strengthen statehood and foster democratic traditions.