The President expressed his gratitude to Poland for its effective Presidency of the Council of the EU, particularly highlighting the progress made in strengthening European security and defense, as well as the adoption of the regulation on the reinforcement of the European defense industry (SAFE instrument). Gitanas Nausėda emphasized that this regulation is a crucial step that will help EU member states bolster their long-term defense capabilities.
“Security and defense remain top priorities on our agenda. We must not only recognize the progress achieved so far, but also ensure the effective implementation of new initiatives. Over the next five years, we need to achieve a breakthrough in joint European defense preparedness, especially in those member states facing direct threats from Russia and Belarus,” the President pointed out.
The Head of State also underscored the importance of involving transatlantic allies—namely the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada—in joint defense projects, enhancing military mobility, and securing adequate funding to protect the EU’s eastern border. The President stressed that Ukraine should be actively integrated into the EU’s defense industry.
President Gitanas Nausėda noted that the upcoming European Council meeting on 26–27 June will be a key opportunity to reinforce European unity and increase comprehensive support for Ukraine. Lithuania supports the 18th package of sanctions against Russia and hopes it will be both ambitious and precisely targeted.
The President also emphasized the need for the European Union to coordinate closely with NATO, which is the cornerstone of collective defense for member states.
Beyond security and defense, the meeting also addressed other important issues: enhancing the EU’s competitiveness, reducing the regulatory burden on businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—and accelerating the implementation of the REPowerEU plan. The President also pointed to migration-related challenges and called for the smooth implementation of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum.
