“I am grateful to everyone for working together. The National Defence System has made significant progress over the past years and it was not all about more defence spending. It was the people who saw meaning in what they did, changes in the System, just like they saw a particularly good connection with servicemembers, an Armed Forces growing in strength and capabilities and its genuine support to Ukraine in its resistance, and our consistent cooperation with Allies,” said outgoing Minister of National Defence A. Anušauskas.
“I assume the responsibilities. Numerous vital projects were kicked off in the term of this Government, they need to be carried on with, including the process of stationing the German brigade in Lithuania and establishment of a national division.
I am grateful to Minister and all the National Defence System civilian and military personnel for the started and completed initiatives. I am certain that we will succeed at significant achievements which will make our country stronger.
I understand that there is a tense time ahead but I am prepared for new challenges. The geopolitical situation as it is we can not afford to halt. We will have to pace up the implementation of the total defence concept, complete the recruitment reform, expand defence industry, strengthen drone capability and implement other necessary projects. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get started,” said incoming Minister of Defence L. Kasčiūnas.
The new Minister studied political sciences, defended a political science doctoral thesis in the area of social sciences and taught at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University. Worked as a lecturer at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University, in 2007-2016. Joined the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats in 2011. Led the Eastern Europe Studies Centre in 2012-2016. From 2009 to 2012 worked as a Foreign Policy Advisor to Irena Degutienė, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. Elected to the Seimas in 2016. Before the current appointment L. Kasčiūnas was the Chair of the National Security and Defence Committee.
