The two Presidents discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in the European Union and NATO.
Dalia Grybauskaitė emphasized, that Lithuania and Hungary enjoy strong historical bonds dating back to 16th century and beyond. Stephen Báthory, the Hungarian Grand Duke of Lithuania, not only established Vilnius University and promoted the development the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, but also repulsed aggression from Moscow and won the Livonian War. Today, Hungary contributes to strengthening security in Lithuania and Europe as well as to ensuring transatlantic security.
Four years ago, when the security situation deteriorated severely after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, Hungary was among the first countries to send its rotational forces to Lithuania. Hungarian fighter jets carried out the Baltic Air Policing mission at the Zokniai air base in 2015 and Hungarian troops joined NATO’s forward presence force in Estonia.
Lithuania and Hungary jointly participate in the project for developing military Schengen area within the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). The project aims to ensure smooth and prompt deployment of military support by simplifying border crossing procedures and adjusting roads, viaducts, railways and other necessary infrastructure for the movement of military equipment.
Cooperation prospects in the energy sector were also discussed. Hungary aims to have secure and diversified gas supplies; therefore, it is interested in Lithuania’s experience in ensuring energy security and in the possibility to use the Klaipėda-based LNG terminal as an import facility.
The President also pointed out that even though Lithuania’s and Hungary’s positions on some EU agenda items differed, both countries stood in the same line on Brexit and the new multiannual EU budget. It is in the interests of Lithuania and Hungary to have the rights of their citizens protected after Brexit and to keep the United Kingdom as a close security and economic partner of Europe.
Both countries are also making efforts to avoid drastic cuts in structural funding and agricultural support in the new EU financial perspective.
Hungary is an important economic partner of Lithuania. Bilateral trade grew by 75 percent over the last five years. They successfully cooperate in laser technologies. Two Lithuanian companies developed one of the largest laser systems for a Hungarian-based research center ELI. Biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical sectors have great potential for future cooperation.
