"The most important thing we are interested in is that Israeli youth and Lithuanian youth have direct relations. The bridge that we are building, and we are not young boys anymore, should have some continuity. This was the main issue we discussed," Katz told journalists after his meeting with Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Vydas Gedvilas.
According to Katz, only economically-based relations between the two countries are not enough as personal ties are necessary. "To build relations on economy only – economy is a thing of interest, today you have one, and tomorrow you don't, it' not enough. We need personal ties between people. We all have personal ties, we all have anchors here, acquaintances, but that's not the case with youth, and youth is key in any state. This is what the future will be built on. I think that this is how Lithuania sees this, therefore, we should pay major attention to this issue," Katz said.
The aim of Israelita is to develop cooperation between the two nations and countries, to contribute to the development of relations in culture, sport and art, to expand contacts in the fields of business, science and industry, to promote a favorable presentation of Lithuania in Israel and of Israel in Lithuania and to cooperate closely with the Embassy of Lithuania in Israel, Israeli representatives in Lithuania and all organizations that aim to bring both countries together.
Israeli President Shimon Peres is scheduled to pay a state visit to Lithuania later this week.
