RAMALLAH, June 17, 2026 (WAFA) – Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa met on Wednesday with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, to discuss recent developments and ways to strengthen cooperation in the fields of digital transformation and clean energy.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister briefed the Lithuanian Foreign Minister and his delegation on the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, particularly the escalating colonist terrorism and the occupation's crimes against the Palestinian people.
The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation for the Republic of Lithuania's supportive stance towards the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, and its efforts to strengthen cooperation with Palestinian institutions.
He noted that the most recent example of this cooperation was the signing of a joint declaration between the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the Ministry of Local Government, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
He renewed calls for greater international pressure to halt violence, release Palestinian tax revenues, and support efforts to preserve the viability of a two-state solution in line with international law and United Nations resolutions.
This declaration aims to support the establishment and development of the Palestinian Government Innovation Lab as a national platform for innovation and digital transformation.
The agreement represents a practical step towards translating national digital transformation strategies into actionable projects and solutions, contributing to the development of government services, improving government performance, strengthening partnerships with the private sector, creating new opportunities for Palestinian startups, and stimulating the digital economy.
He reviewed the difficult economic conditions facing the Palestinian people and their national institutions, resulting from the ongoing Israeli occupation's complete withholding of Palestinian tax revenues and the 30% decline in the Palestinian economy's GDP.
He also highlighted the unprecedented rise in unemployment rates, a consequence of Israeli measures and restrictions on movement and employment.
The Prime Minister reiterated the State of Palestine's demand for greater international pressure to halt the occupation's crimes, including the theft of Palestinian funds, settler terrorism, and the Israeli government's attempts to undermine Palestinian institutions.
He called for an end to Israeli actions and statements by its leaders aimed at eliminating the two-state solution, emphasizing the need to compel Israel to comply with international law and UN resolutions.
Mustafa also renewed the State of Palestine's call for the international community to become more actively involved in relief and early recovery efforts, particularly given the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip due to Israeli restrictions, the delay in implementing the transitional phase of the Gaza recovery plan, and Israel's continued violations of the ceasefire agreement.
For his part, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister affirmed his country’s support for the establishment of a Palestinian state and for the institutions of the State of Palestine, and for the rights of the Palestinian people based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and international law, and their readiness to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of digital transformation and renewable energy.
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