Lithuania and Namibia Focus on Practical Cooperation in Political Dialogue
On 15 October, in Windhoek, Lithuanian Ambassador Rasa Jankauskaitė met with Namibian Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade Jenelly Matundu. The meeting focused on opportunities to further develop bilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on digitalisation and partnerships between Lithuanian and Namibian cities. The two sides also discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine and the importance of solidarity among small states in defending the rules-based international order.
The Ambassador presented the progress achieved in advancing bilateral cooperation following the political consultations held in Vilnius in May. She briefed the Deputy Minister on Lithuania’s participation in the Namibia National ICT Summit in Ongwediva, as well as meetings with Namibian Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus and representatives of other government institutions and the business community. Mindaugas Glodas, CEO of Lithuanian company NRD Companies, who also participated in the meeting, presented Lithuania’s experience in digital identity, electronic public services and tax administration, and discussed concrete opportunities for cooperation. During the meeting with the Deputy Minister, he reaffirmed Lithuania’s readiness to share its practical experience in digital transformation and contribute to the implementation of digitalisation projects in Namibia.
The meeting also addressed prospects for cooperation between Lithuanian and Namibian municipalities. The Ambassador outlined the outcomes of her meetings with the mayors of Ongwediva and Oniipa, as well as opportunities to establish partnerships between these towns and Lithuanian municipalities. The Namibian Deputy Minister welcomed the initiative, highlighting the importance of town twinning in exchanging best practices and strengthening local governance.
Discussing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the Ambassador emphasised that its consequences extend beyond Europe and pose a threat to the rules-based international order.
“History has taught Lithuania and African countries painful lessons. At the Berlin Conference, great powers decided the fate of Africa, while the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact divided Eastern Europe without regard for the will of our nations. We must not allow a world order to return in which great powers decide the fate of smaller nations. That is why defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity matters to us all,” the Ambassador stressed.
Both sides underlined the importance of solidarity among small states, mutual support and closer cooperation within international organisations.
The Namibian Deputy Minister welcomed Lithuania’s initiatives and the progress achieved since the political consultations in Vilnius, emphasising Namibia’s interest in developing bilateral cooperation focused on tangible results.
