The Rwandan government and the Republic of Lithuania on Wednesday signed an agreement aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries.Rwanda’s State Minister for Cooperation and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Eugène-Richard Gasana signed on behalf of Rwanda while Lithuania’s minister of Foreign Affairs, Linas Linkevicius signed for the Republic of Lithuania. The agreement sets a framework for establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries based on the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963, according to a joint statement received by The New Times.The Eastern European nation, Lithuania joined the European Union in the spring of 2004 and will hold EU Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July 1, 2013 to 31 December 2013. Also Lithuania has presented its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2014 to 2015.Prior to the global financial crisis of 2007–2010 and now in its aftermath, Lithuania has one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union. Lithuania is a member of NATO, the Council of Europe, and the European Union. The United Nations Human Development Index lists Lithuania as a "Very High Human Development” country.