PH, Lithuania eye tech, education, people-to-people ties


At a glance

  • Slepavicius says Lithuania has some technological solutions that could be interesting for the Philippines., particularly in cybersecurity, the economy, green energy, and biotech.

  • With Lithuania being a pioneer in laser development and production, Slepavicius said the Philippines and his country can work together on laser technology.

  • Marcos expressed interest in the production of scientific lasers and lasers in general.


The Philippines and Lithuania have agreed to collaborate in technology, cybersecurity, education, and people-to-people exchanges, saying both nations can learn from each other's experiences in addressing various challenges.

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PH-LITHUANIA TIES — President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. accepts the credentials of Lithuanian Non-Resident Ambassador to the Philippines Ričardas Šlepavičius in Malacañan on Oct. 3, 2023. (Malacañang photo)

This was manifested during President Marcos' meeting with Lithuanian Non-Resident Ambassador to the Philippines Ričardas Šlepavičius, who presented his credentials to the Chief Executive in Malacañan on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

In his remarks, Šlepavičius said the Philippines and Lithuania can share experiences in addressing mutual concerns despite the distance between the two countries.

"I believe we have some technological solutions which could be interesting for [the] Philippines.  For example, for cybersecurity, the economy, green energy, and biotech," he said.

"We could share our experiences and help companies or the Philippines [do] business there,"  he added.

The Lithuanian envoy believes this could be a basis for future economic cooperation between both countries.

"We are thinking about a corporation or partnership that could bring us together," Šlepavičius said

"Definitely, we do have some technological solutions [that] could be interesting," he added.

With Lithuania being a pioneer in laser development and production, Šlepavičius said the Philippines and his country can work together on laser technology.

He added that Lithuania captures 10 percent of the global market for scientific lasers. He said the two nations' universities and scientific community could partner to produce and develop good-quality lasers.

"[That] could be in a scientific area. Say, we have a small nation with specific expertise, which we do have, we could really be good partners for your business, your universities, scientific institutions," Šlepavičius told the President.

President Marcos, in response, agreed with Šlepavičius. He expressed interest in the production of scientific lasers and lasers in general.

"I'm convinced that the solutions to the challenges that we're facing would be technological, would come from technology," he said.

"These are the things that are going to solve the problems that we face now," he added.

Meanwhile, Šlepavičius said the two countries could improve their relationship through sports, suggesting organizing special basketball projects.

"And mentioning basketball— a special project to attract to play basketball in the field, to experience sports. Sports is always good," the Lithuanian envoy said.