At the meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Gitanas Nausėda underscored that relations between Lithuania and Spain were growing stronger in the areas of security and defence and thanked the Spanish troops for their service on the NATO air policing mission and their significant contribution in ensuring security of Lithuania and of the entire region.
The statements to the media by the President of Lithuania and the Prime Minister of Spain were unexpectedly interrupted when the Spanish pilots had to react to the incoming report on the violation of the Lithuanian airspace and take off in the fighter jets. The solidarity between NATO countries works in practice,” the President said.
Speaking about the decisions taken at the NATO summit, Gitanas Nausėda said that the security situation in our region remained tense due to Russia’s growing influence in Belarus; therefore, supporting allies and strengthening deterrence was of special importance to Lithuania. “Lithuania has always upheld its position that it is not worth talking about changes in EU-Russia relations as long as Russia continues its aggressive policy. I am pleased that the EU was able to maintain consistency on this issue at the European Council meeting in June,” the President said at the meeting.
The leaders of Lithuania and Spain agreed that the NATO 2030 set of proposals was especially relevant as it helped the Alliance to counter the existing threats from Russia and China. Strengthening deterrence and defense will be a key priority in implementing the decisions of the NATO Summit.
Speaking about economic recovery and strengthening resilience, Gitanas Nausėda and Pedro Sánchez also discussed the possibilities for both countries to make better use of the available potential for cooperation in the fields of biotechnologies, renewable energy, and especially green hydrogen technologies.
The President of Lithuania asked the Prime Minister of Spain to pass the invitation on to King Felipe VI of Spain to visit Lithuania next year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of de jure recognition of Lithuania’s independence by Spain.
