The President underlined that Lithuania’s priority for 2017 was to consolidate its international achievements and take new steps needed for ensuring security in the region and society as well as for boosting economic competitiveness.
According to the President, this past year gave rise to many challenges posing a threat to the security of the Baltic states and Europe. Intensive militarization at NATO’s borders, growing disintegrative and populist moods, future difficult negotiations over Brexit, the ongoing migration crisis and terrorism will be the dominant issues on this year’s political agenda.
Therefore, the President said, timely and effective implementation of NATO decisions is crucially important now. However, there is much more that we have to deal with. We must enhance NATO’s defense and deterrence measures. Keep the transatlantic bond strong. Consistently increase defense spending and continue modernizing military forces. Improve the fight against hybryd threats, including propaganda, cyber attacks and unsafe nuclear power plants. At the same time, strengthen the resilience of society to lies and develop its preparedness for defense.
Lithuania’s economic situation was also discussed. The President pointed out that economic growth was expected to accelerate this year. Lithuania’s GDP is projected to grow by 2.7 percent in 2017 and is likely to exceed the EU average by 1.6 percent. Fiscal stability, competitiveness, innovation, investment into high value-added generating sectors, strategic energy and transport interconnections will remain on top of the list of national priorities.
In 2017, Lithuania will further work towards implementing all the requirements set for membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Lithuania aspires to join the OECD in 2018.
