On 6 March, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Sakartvel to Lithuania Salome Shapakidze visited Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) and met with the Rector Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėniene.

During the meeting, the prospects of cooperation between the universities of Sakartvel and Lithuania were discussed, as well as the opportunities for students by studying under the double-diploma programmes in both countries.

The Rector pointed out that in the spring semester of 2024, 5 students from Sakartvel came to MRU to study under exchange programmes. Also, 16 students are pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees at Mykolas Romeris University, including 5 students who receive Lithuanian state scholarships for master's studies. MRU cooperates with eleven universities in Sakartvel under bilateral agreements or the Erasmus+ programme (Batumi Shota Rustaveli, Tbilisi Ivan Javakishvili State University, Tbilisi Humanitarian University, International University of the Black Sea, Sukhumi State University, Grigol Robakidze University, Guramavartkiladze University, Caucasus University, Ilia State University, David Agmashenebel University of Tbilisi, and the Georgian-American University of Georgia).

Prof. Dr. I. Žalėnienė, Rector of MRU, pointed out that during the 20 years of Lithuania's membership in the European Union, the need for specialists in law and management has become particularly evident. The Ambassador pointed out that Sakartvel today faces a shortage of professionals responsible for EU integration and that the need for such professionals will only grow in the future when the country becomes an EU member.

The participants agreed that Lithuania and Sakartvel are united by their tragic historical experiences in the struggle for freedom, and by their common sensitive attitude towards the Russian-led war in Ukraine.