This year, special focus was placed on the security challenges in the Baltic Sea region, the current tense geopolitical situation, and relations between the European Union and the United States after the presidential election.
According to the President, Russia is not only engaged in continued intensive militarization of the Kaliningrad region and the deployment of missiles that can reach many European capitals. The Kremlin also seeks to benefit from growing populist forces in Europe.
It is therefore vitally important, the President said, to maintain the unity of the European Union as a whole. To firmly defend global democratic values. To invest more in defense, to strengthen measures countering hybrid threats, and to demonstrate very clearly that any aggression will be met with a strong response.
The President underlined the significance of close and stable relations between the European Union and the United States. America is the guarantor of global security and stability, she said. It is therefore necessary to keep the interest of the new administration in Europe and to strengthen transatlantic cooperation in defense, security and economic areas.
During the meeting, views were also exchanged on further instruments to manage the migration flows and the proposal put forward by the European Commission to set up a European Defense Fund.
