According to the President, as military aggression at Europe's borders and inside Europe persists, international terrorist threats increase and the migration crisis continues, international security will remain a key challenge for the global community.
Dalia Grybauskaitė emphasized that in order to manage threats to the security of people and states, it was necessary to enhance respect for international law and ensure that international agreements are implemented and their violators do not go unpunished.
In response to the challenges of today, Lithuania is consistently strengthening its security. Military conscription has been reintroduced, military equipment modernized and funding for national defense increased.
During the meeting, the President thanked NATO allies contributing to ensure the security of Lithuania and emphasized that at the NATO summit in Warsaw Lithuania would aim to further enhance the Alliance's defense capacities in the Baltic countries and reduce the time lap for responding to threats.
Dalia Grybauskaitė also spoke of the slowing world economy. It is now essential, the President said, to ensure sustainable economic growth and responsible fiscal policies.
The President and foreign ambassadors also discussed Lithuania's ongoing negotiations on its membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Membership in this organization, which brings together the most advanced economies in the world, will also help to boost Lithuania's economic competitiveness, attract more foreign investment and increase Lithuania's visibility in the world.
The traditional meeting with the President was attended by more than 60 ambassadors from European, Asian and Middle East countries.
