"I would like to once again draw my colleagues' attention to the defence spending in Europe prior to the European Council. I believe this priority issue should be discussed by the Heads of States", the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence said on the eve of the meeting.
"If Europe wants to become an international security provider it should cooperate with its partners and those in Eastern neighbourhood in particular. I would therefore say that we should send a positive message to our partners to encourage them to take a full advantage of cooperation opportunities in the EU security and defence area," the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence pointed out.
According to J. Olekas, discussions of the European Council will not be fruitful without the proper attention to energy security challenges. "I would therefore suggest that European Council agenda should include measures to be taken by EU member states within the framework of military energy security", Minister J. Olekas said.
On 18 November Lithuanian Minister of National Defence J. Olekas will take part in a joint session of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Foreign Affairs Council where the focus will be on the measures to enhance visibility and effectiveness of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy.
On 19 November the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence J. Olekas will take part in a sitting of the European Defence Agency Steering Body where four flagship programmes on Air-to-Air Refuelling, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Governmental Satellite Communication and Cyber Defence and their implementation roadmaps will be confirmed. The Cyber Defence capabilities development programme will be contributed by Lithuania by joining the Cyber Ranges Project.
Later in the day, the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence J. Olekas will attend a session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council for Defence Ministers where focus will be on EU defence industry and international operations.
The EU Council of Foreign Affairs and Defence scheduled to take place on 18-19 November will be one of final events in the run-up for the European Council on European Defence future after a long break in December later this year. Based on the Foreign Affairs Council conclusions, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy will submit a list of proposals that should be included in the discussion agenda by the Heads of States in December.
