Vilnius University and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sign a Cooperation Agreement
On 20 February, Kęstutis Budrys, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, paid a visit to Vilnius University (VU). During his meeting with VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, a Cooperation Agreement was signed. It aims to strengthen ties between the VU academic community and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and deepen their dialogue on implementing Lithuania’s foreign and diaspora policy.
"The Cooperation Agreement will further align the activities of the Ministry and the University for the benefit of the state. The training of future diplomats, providing expertise in international and security matters, academic diplomacy, strengthening international engagement, addressing issues of national importance, fostering bilateral relations based on shared principles, and participating in international formats – all of these are key priorities for the University. I am confident that through our knowledge and initiatives, we can make an even greater contribution to the success of Lithuania’s diplomacy and foreign policy," said VU Rector Prof. Petrauskas.
As part of this Agreement, VU and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will cooperate on joint projects, programmes, and other initiatives focused on shaping foreign policy and enhancing the efficiency of the Ministry’s activities. The partnership will also contribute to improving the VU political science study programmes, providing opportunities for students to undertake internships at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and promoting academic collaboration by providing expert assistance and recommendations on international policy-making issues.
Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will contribute to international exchange programmes for VU students, suggest topics for their Master’s theses, and encourage employees of the Ministry to provide insights to researchers and share information with students writing their final papers. The Ministry will also invite VU scholars to participate in competitions for research and consultancy opportunities, as well as engage in other mutually beneficial activities.