Lithuania has announced an ambitious plan to establish itself as a leading European gastronomic destination within the next ten years, as part of a broader strategy to promote tourism, attract foreign investment, and strengthen its international image. The Economy and Innovation Ministry confirmed it has begun work on a national gastronomic tourism strategy, expected to be completed by the end of the year in collaboration with chefs, tourism industry partners, and other stakeholders. Darius Katinas, president of Bocuse d'Or Lithuania, stated that the goal is to become a "gastronomic mecca," acknowledging that while it may sound utopian, it is the target.