The Lithuanian and Estonian Foreign Ministers discussed the region’s security challenges, the protection of critical infrastructure, resilience to hybrid threats, support for Ukraine, and energy security issues.
Budrys noted that protecting critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea requires constant attention and coordinated actions, using all possible means.
The Foreign Ministers discussed the disconnection of the electrical grids from the BRELL system in early February. According to Budrys, energy independence is an essential component of national security. Therefore, it is crucial to continue working in this direction, focusing on increasing electricity generation capacity in the Baltic states.
Budrys and Tsahkna discussed the need to increase Europe’s resilience to hybrid threats.
“In January, at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Lithuania, together with its partners, will present guidelines for a strategy on resilience to hybrid threats. It is not enough simply to express concern when hostile regimes are constantly testing the limits of our patience and threatening public safety. The EU countries need concrete tools not only to respond but also to prevent hybrid attacks,” said Budrys.
The Foreign Ministers also discussed the problematic situation in Georgia. Budrys stressed the importance of maintaining European support for Georgia’s civil society and called on the “Georgian Dream” to hold free and fair parliamentary elections. According to the Foreign Minister, the EU should be more involved and enhance its support for Georgia’s pro-European forces.
