The President pointed out that Russia, with its unpredictable and aggressive behavior, was testing NATO's unity and determination to defend itself. The militarization of the Kaliningrad region, the violation of NATO's airspace and the ongoing undeclared military exercises – all of them demonstrate that Russia remains an unpredictable neighbor. Therefore, the NATO summit in Warsaw needs to make firm decisions not only to counter the existing threats but also to deter new ones.
Dalia Grybauskaitė stressed that Belgium was NATO's reliable ally, committed to strengthening the security of Lithuania. Belgian service personnel were the first to have taken part in the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic countries. Last year, Belgian soldiers took part in the Baltic Piranha exercise conducted in Lithuania. Belgians also serve at the NATO Force Integration Unit in Vilnius.
The meeting further focused on a more effective implementation of the measures to manage the migration crisis. According to the President, reinforcing the protection of the EU's external borders remains a key task. Therefore, it is necessary to set up without delay a European Border and Coast Guard to ensure the security of EU citizens and the Schengen area.
As Brussels remains on its highest alert level, the meeting discussed the prevention of new terror attacks in Europe. It is essential to step up the fight against terrorist financing and propaganda and improve cooperation among law enforcement services in EU countries, President Grybauskaitė said.
The Lithuanian President and the Belgian Senate Speaker touched upon bilateral relations between Lithuania and Belgium. Lithuania aims to expand cooperation between the Klaipėda Seaport and Belgian seaports in Antwerp, Gent and Zeebrugge, and to develop business and trade links with the region of Wallonia, known for its advanced life sciences and pharmaceutical industry. In 2014, trade turnover between Lithuania and Belgium amounted to 1.3 billion euros.
Seimas Speaker and Chair of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium discussed current issues in international politics
Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas, has met with Christine Defraigne, Chair of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium, who is presently on an official visit to Lithuania. The meeting focused on bilateral political and economic relations and current events on the international stage.
"I sincerely thank you for your visit at such an important time for Lithuania – 25th anniversary of 13 January," said Ms Graužinienė.
The Speaker of the Seimas welcomed active interparliamentary cooperation between Belgium and Lithuania and expressed hope that, in the future, it would be even greater. Other points of the discussion included attraction of investment and innovation as well as cooperation in high technology. A strong emphasis was put on energy security matters.
Concerning major European policy challenges such as the growing threat of terrorism and refugee crisis, the Speaker of the Seimas noted that "small countries like Lithuania and Belgium were to call for the European Union to remain united and consistently defend common European values while at the same time ensuring the control and effective management of the EU's external borders without prejudice to the Schengen area."
As regards the new threats to European security, Loreta Graužinienė emphasized that the refugee crisis should not overshadow the crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Partnership issues – the issues on which the European Union had to speak with one voice. Furthermore, the Speaker of the Seimas stressed the importance of the introduction of a visa-free regime to Ukraine and Georgia.
