国际英语资讯:Defense and energy dominates visit of King of Netherlands in Lithuania

VILNIUS, June 15 -- King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands discussed with Lithuanian leaders defense issues and energy cooperation during His Majesty's state visit to Lithuania on Friday.

Energy cooperation between Lithuania and the Netherlands was highlighted by around 40 business representatives from the largest Dutch energy companies accompanying King Willem-Alexander during his visit to Lithuania.

On Friday, King Willem-Alexander opened the Bilateral Forum on Sustainable Energy in Vilnius, Lithuanian capital.

Around 150 representatives discussed possible cooperation in liquefied natural gas (LNG), renewable energy, according to Lithuanian President's Office.

"A global energy giant Shell, which has already started the transportation of small LNG cargoes from the Port of Klaipeda to new LNG distribution station tanks, as well as other Dutch companies are interested in closer cooperation with Lithuania," The Lithuanian President's Office said on Friday.

For Lithuania, the small Baltic country with population of less than 3 million, the Netherlands is the second largest investor in term of foreign direct investment.

Out of 14.655 billion euros of total foreign direct investment into Lithuania at the end of 2017, nearly 2 billion is from the Dutch companies, according to the data from the Bank of Lithuania.

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands also visited Dutch troops deployed in Central Lithuania. Currently, around 200 Dutch troops serve at the NATO enhanced forward presence (EFP) German-led multinational battalion sent to Lithuania as part of allied efforts to step up defense in Lithuania and other Baltic Countries.

Earlier on Friday, the king also met with Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis to discuss cooperation.

The Dutch King visited Lithuania from Wednesday to Friday following state visits to Latvia and Estonia.