The consulate of Lithuania in Iran has held talks to increase bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism, especially health and medical tourism, a representative said.
"We are very committed to attract Lithuanian health and medical tourists to Iran and attract Iranian historical and recreational tourists to Lithuania," the Baltic state's honorary consul to Iran said.
"Lithuania is a neutral country in political conflicts and has always remained Iran's friend," Mohsen Karimi Tabasi was also quoted as saying by IRNA recently.
A tourism-centered conference was held in Tehran's Espinas Palace Hotel last month.
According to Karimi, guests at the conference, who pursued closer and more developed ties in the fields of tourism and science between Iran and Lithuania, included deputy ministers and university presidents from both countries.
The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania, together with the Lithuanian Consul in Iran and in partnership with Turkish Airlines, held in Tehran the 'Lithuania in Focus' event on November 26-27 to discuss tourism, culture and student exchange opportunities for both countries.
The event was organized on the occasion of the 100-year anniversary of Lithuania‘s restored independence and to mark the 25th anniversary of Lithuania-Iran diplomatic relations.
Lithuania's Vice Minister of Economy Marius Skuodis welcomed participants in a video message.
Lithuania‘s Ambassador to Iran Audrius Bruzga noted in his address that it was the first-time ever that Lithuania was being introduced in Iran in such a comprehensive manner.
"It was quite clear," the ambassador said, "that Iranians are interested in Lithuania and now it is for the private sector to get involved to put business plans in action. The Embassy of Lithuania in Ankara and the Lithuanian Honorary Consulate in Tehran stand ready to assist companies and universities in pursuing their projects in Iran and Lithuania."
A number of Lithuanian universities introduced themselves and the general overview of the study-in-Lithuania environment was given by Ignas Bautrenas, representing the Education Exchanges Support Foundation.
"My prediction is that if we develop our ties, 200,000 tourists from each of the countries will be able to visit our respective country each year," Karimi said.
This seems like a tall order at present, especially since the official conceded that last year only 450 Lithuanians travelled to Iran.
However, after direct flights are established between Iran and Lithuania, which he said "is in the final stages of signing an agreement", the number is expected to significantly increase.
The reason Karimi, as an honorary consul, promoted the event was that Lithuania does not currently have an embassy in Iran and all the affairs related to the country are conducted through the consulate.
"Iran exported $13 million worth of goods to the Baltic state last year," the consul said.
With the aim of preparing the grounds for development of tourism cooperation, the Lithuanian officials were taken to visit the city of Shahdad in Kerman on a private jet after the conference.
Karimi proposed to Lithuanian officials that they offer Iranian tourists group visas, which has been accepted and received positively.
The proposal "will be implemented soon", he said.
