Lithuania was the first to respond to a request for assistance from Slovenia, faced with a huge influx of refugees. 380 thousand people crossed the Slovenian border last year and as many as 100 thousand people – during the first two months of this year alone.
"This is a huge sign of Lithuania's solidarity. Helping Slovenia today, we ensure that, if needed, we will receive help as well. I would like to thank our police officers for fulfilling the duty with honor," the President said.
According to Dalia Grybauskaitė, solidarity is needed most for ensuring the security of the EU's external and Schengen borders. Only when you show understanding and solidarity yourself, you can expect the same response in the event of crisis. Lithuania has an external EU border and a Schengen border; therefore, it is very well aware of the necessity to enhance the security of the EU's external borders and at the same time that of Lithuanian citizens.
As the migration crisis is not abating and is changing its directions, our officers' experience gained in Slovenia in managing the flows of refugees is very useful and important for Lithuania. Our country has sent four groups of police officers – a total of 50 persons – to Slovenia. Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia, France, and Bulgaria have also rendered assistance.
The Lithuanian President emphasized that the European Union had taken all strategic decisions to manage the crisis; however, there was lack of political will to implement them efficiently. According to Dalia Grybauskaitė, it is necessary to strengthen the EU's external borders without delay; otherwise, we are putting the future of the Schengen area and the security of European citizens at risk. The EU must intensify cooperation with third countries, especially with Turkey, take effective measures to combat people smuggling and ensure that procedures for returning economic migrants are actually working.
At the entrance to the Postojna Cave – Slovenia's number one tourist destination – the Presidents of Lithuania and Slovenia inaugurated a bench of peace and friendship, which symbolizes unity and solidarity between nations. This is a beautiful tradition which originated several years ago. The Slovenian President together with the heads of other countries have already inaugurated five such symbolic benches in various areas across Slovenia.
