According to the President, current security challenges call for united efforts by all European countries. The United Kingdom is Lithuania's reliable partner within NATO's framework contributing to the security of our region and Europe as a whole. The President underlined that Lithuania valued the UK's contribution to the Baltic air policing mission and welcomed its participation in the activities of Lithuania-based NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence.
Close cooperation with the United Kingdom is also important in seeking consistent position of the EU on the relationship with Russia and enhancing the EU's role in the sphere of information security. Both countries work together over initiatives to combat propaganda at the EU level, actively seek to strengthen the EU's energy security and speed up implementation of the decisions adopted at the NATO Summit in Wales.
The Lithuanian President and the head of British diplomacy also discussed the terrorist threats to international security and condemned the deadly assault against French magazine office in Paris. The President underlined that global efforts were needed to defeat international terrorism.
Other points of discussion at the meeting included ways to boost economic efficiency and competitiveness as well as strengthen the single market of the EU. To this end, the President noted, it is essential to complete the internal energy market, consistently seek the creation of the digital single market, and sign free trade agreements with the United States.
President Grybauskaitė stressed that to achieve prosperity and economic welfare of Europe it was necessary to ensure that the fundamental principle of the EU single market - free movement of persons in the European Union - is not violated.
Bilateral relations between the two countries were also discussed at the meeting. The United Kingdom's support to our aspirations for membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development is important for Lithuania.
