Lithuania in the news
27th February, 2006
President Adamkus’ State Visit to Australia
President Valdas Adamkus meeting
Prime Minister John Howard
President Valdas Adamkus meeting
Governor-General Michael Jeffery
President Valdas Adamkus meeting
NSW Governor Marie Bashir
Lithuanian flag flying outside the
New South Wales Parliament House
on February 16, 2006
President Valdas Adamkus has concluded the first State Visit by a President of Lithuania to Australia on February 27, 2006, and continued his journey on to New Zealand and Thailand. Before coming to Australia he visited Singapore. During the State Visit he was accompanied by Mrs. Alma Adamkus, the Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and an entourage of other officials and business representatives. During the visit President Adamkus met with the Prime Minister John Howard, the Governor-General Michael Jeffery, the Governor of New South Wales Marie Bashir and the Governor of Victoria John Landy. The Governor-General hosted a lunch in honour of President Adamkus in Canberra on Monday, February 27, for a number of distinguished Australian and Lithuanian guests. President Adamkus and his entourage of business representatives met with Australian businessmen on a number of occasions, making many important business contacts and initiating business.
During his visit President Adamkus met with Australian Lithuanian communities in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Just a week before the President’s visit, Australian Lithuanians celebrated Lithuania’s Independence Day on February 16th. On that day Sydney Lithuanians were honoured by the sight of Lithuania’s flag flying outside the NSW Parliament House, where a reception to celebrate Lithuania’s Independence Day was being held by the Consul-General of Lithuania, Mr. Viktoras Ðliteris. The President’s visit, coming a week later, was a fitting continuation of Lithuania’s independence festivities.
In Sydney President Adamkus and his accompanying party met Sydney Lithuanians at a lunch in his honour on Saturday, February 25, at the Taronga Park Function Centre, a venue with spectacular views over Sydney Harbour. The visitors were impressed with Sydney at its best. In his address President Adamkus outlined Lithuania’s achievements since the regaining of independence 16 years ago, which include the reestablishment of democratic traditions, reform of the economy and Lithuania joining as a fully fledged member the European Union and NATO. Outlining the problems still ahead, he invited Australian Lithuanians to contribute their wealth of experience to the well being of Lithuania. He emphasised that with modern telecommunications it is possible to partake in activities in Lithuania, even when separated by two oceans.

More information: www.adamkus.lt