Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas

07/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/23/2026 07:06

The President presented letters of credence to Lithuania’s ambassadors to Australia and Moldova

On Thursday, President Gitanas Nausėda presented letters of credence to Donatas Butkus, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Australia, and Mindaugas Kačerauskis, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Moldova.

During his meeting with Donatas Butkus, the President emphasized the importance of strengthening Lithuania's political, economic, and security ties with Australia, as well as enhancing cooperation with Australia and New Zealand in the Indo-Pacific region. Special focus was placed on deepening high-level political dialogue and parliamentary contacts, as well as expanding Australia's and New Zealand's cooperation with NATO and their engagement with the Nordic and Baltic countries.

The President stressed the need to maintain and strengthen Australia's and New Zealand's support for Ukraine and to promote cooperation in defense, cybersecurity, countering hybrid threats, and combating disinformation. He also underscored the importance of attracting investment to Lithuania's defense industry and its life sciences, biotechnology and financial technology sectors; increasing exports of high-tech products and lasers; strengthening academic and cultural ties; fostering cooperation with Lithuanian communities in Australia and New Zealand; and raising Lithuania's profile across the region.

During his meeting with Mindaugas Kačerauskis, the President discussed Lithuania's support for Moldova's European integration and the reforms required for its accession to the European Union. He emphasized that Lithuania should continue assisting Moldova's institutions in implementing reforms and advancing toward EU membership, while also contributing to development cooperation projects.

Considerable attention was devoted to strengthening Moldova's resilience against Russia's hybrid threats, countering propaganda and disinformation, enhancing bilateral cooperation in security and defense, and maintaining high-level political dialogue. The President and the Ambassador also discussed expanding economic ties and Lithuanian exports, cooperation in the energy sector, and increasing Lithuania's visibility in Moldova, particularly in preparation for Lithuania's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027.

Donatas Butkus has served in Lithuania's diplomatic service for more than two decades. He has held postings at the Consulate General of Lithuania in Kaliningrad, Lithuania's Permanent Missions to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and to the international organizations in Vienna. Most recently, he served as Minister Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Lithuania in Ukraine.

Mindaugas Kačerauskis is a career diplomat with extensive professional experience in Moldova and the European Union's Eastern Neighborhood policy. He has served at the Embassy of Lithuania in Moldova, the European Union Delegations to Moldova and Uzbekistan, and most recently as Chief Adviser in the Eastern Neighborhood Policy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.
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