Lithuanian president urges political newcomers to support country's innovative path

Lithuania must be "impetuous, fast and creative" regarding innovations in order to maintain its competitiveness in the world, the Baltic country's president Dalia Grybauskaite said on Friday.

"Here goes Lithuania which can be speedy and impetuous; it is up to politicians, especially the newcomers, not to thwart this drive," Grybauskaite was quoted as saying by local website vz.lt.

She was speaking at a conference The Smart Lithuania which is being held in Vilnius by local business media company Verslo Zinios.

Different levels of development in Lithuania are being observed in the country after recent parliamentary elections, the head of state noted.

"Political newcomers should learn from the environment, from those who are leaving the political stage and from you," Grybauskaite said.

After Lithuania's parliamentary elections last month, the country's Peasant and Greens Union came into power, beating previously ruling social democrats and conservative opposition. Negotiations to form the ruling coalition are being held this week and will continue next week.

"We are too small to develop slowly; only creative, impetuous and bold small country can resist current geopolitical pressure, as well as remain competitive and visible in the world," the president added.

In her words, innovations can be created "in any garage."

"However, it is important that people had the possibility to put in practice what they create and share it," Grybauskaite stressed.

According to Verslo Zinios, the Smart Lithuania 2016 is a project aiming to identify, evaluate and present to the public the modern changes that have been taking place in Lithuania. Endit