VILNIUS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Former Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus on Thursday endorsed economist Gitanas Nauseda in the country's presidential race.

"I think he is best prepared for this duty, he has all the necessary skills and sufficient standing," Adamkus told Lithuanian news website vz.lt.

Adamkus, 92, served as the president of Lithuania in 1998-2003 and 2004-2009.

"I am very grateful to Valdas Adamkus for his support, it is very important to me," Nauseda told local media in response.

"I see Adamkus as my mentor, I share many of his principles and I'd like to bring them back to Lithuanian politics," said Nauseda.

Nauseda, 54, is leading in the public polls on the upcoming presidential elections. According to the latest survey by Spinter Tyrimai, Nauseda is supported by 27.9 percent of the country's residents, Former finance minister, MP Ingrida Simonyte and the country's current Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis ranked second and third with respectively with 24.8 and 14.5 percent.

In total, 9 candidates are running for the President's seat.

According to political analysts, Adamkus' endorsement could help Nauseda gather support from undecided voters.

Lithuania's incumbent President Dalia Grybauskaite, who will leave the Office after finishing her second term, had said she would refrain from direct support to any of the candidates in the presidential race.

Lithuania, a small Baltic country with a population of 3 million, holds its presidential election on 12th May with the second round scheduled for May 26. Enditem

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