BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 30. On Monday, July 29,
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys visited Mažeikiai to
discuss regional labor strategies, support for returning
expatriates, and economic development, including a tour of the key
Orlen Lietuva oil refinery, Trend reports.
Minister Budrys held discussions with representatives of the
Mažeikiai District Municipality and the local business community on
the regional labor market and strategies to attract Lithuanian
expatriates back to Mažeikiai.
He emphasized that bringing Lithuanians home from abroad is a
top priority in addressing labor shortages in the regions.
“The regions of Lithuania offer strong potential for returning
citizens to settle and thrive. Our task is to present these
opportunities and invite people back home, because without people,
our regions cannot prosper. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is
ready to work hand-in-hand with municipalities and businesses to
support the return of Lithuanians, whether to Mažeikiai or
elsewhere in the country,” said the Minister.
The meeting also covered Mažeikiai’s international cooperation
efforts and the district’s prospects for attracting foreign
investment.
Minister and business leaders discussed export-related matters
and anticipated changes for Lithuanian companies following the
implementation of the EU-U.S. trade agreement.
During his visit to the “Orlen Lietuva” refinery, Minister
Budrys met with company leadership to review development plans in
Lithuania and challenges in operating within the EU and global
markets. As one of Lithuania’s largest foreign investors and the
dominant player in the national oil sector, Orlen Lietuva accounts
for more than 10 percent of the country’s exports.
Since Lithuania fully phased out non-European oil sources in
2022, the company has played an increasingly important role in the
region’s energy resilience, security, and economic development.