According to the President, the offensive and hostile to the west military exercise “Zapad” held this year demonstrated the necessity to continue enhancing European security from the Arctic to the Baltic states. Decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Warsaw are being efficiently implemented. NATO’s enhanced forward presence troops are deployed in the Baltic States and Poland; however, it is necessary to ensure air defense and provide conditions for rapid deployment of the Allied support.
Cooperation of the EU in countering information and cyber threats was also in the focus of the meeting. With European countries experiencing thousands of cyber-attacks per day, EU Task Force on Cyber-security is being established under the initiative of Lithuania. It will help the EU to react in a more efficient manner and prevent cyber-attacks.
According to Dalia Grybauskaitė, EU member states’ solidarity is paramount for countering threats posed by the unsafe Astravyets nuclear power plant. Clear and high-principled EU’s position is required for ensuring nuclear safety and transparency.
The President also underscored that Russia continued to ignore the Minsk Agreements. Hostilities are carried on in the Eastern Ukraine, Russian military forces are not withdrawn from the territory of Ukraine and the control of Ukrainian borders is not re-enacted. Therefore, the suspension of sanctions against Russia is out of the question.
The course of Brexit negotiation was also discussed at the meeting. Protection of the rights of Lithuanian citizens residing in the U.K. is the priority for Lithuania. Smooth withdrawal of the United Kingdom and continuation of economic and trade relations with the EU as well as close cooperation in the area of security and defense is also important for Lithuanian people.
Dalia Grybauskaitė expressed gratitude to all diplomatic representations of the EU member states that joined the nationwide social campaign “For A Safe Lithuania”. Attention to children from families at risk, assistance in addressing violence and bullying is a valuable contribution of foreign embassies to a safer Lithuania.
The President also invited the EU ambassadors to take an active part in the events of the Centennial of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania and the Women Political Leaders Global Forum to be held in Vilnius next year.
