During the meeting, President Gitanas Nausėda highlighted the excellent bilateral relations between Lithuania and Estonia, and their productive cooperation within the EU, NATO, as well as other international formats. The Head of State emphasized that the united stance and joint actions of Lithuania and Estonia are crucial for achieving significant results in the region and ensuring that the Baltic States’ voice is heard on the global stage. The President also stressed the importance of remaining united in support of Ukraine and mobilizing ally support until victory over the aggressor is secured.
The Lithuanian and Estonian leaders discussed the regional security situation and preparations for next week’s NATO Summit in Washington. The President emphasized the importance of continuing to increase defense investment and encouraging allies to do the same. Gitanas Nausėda highlighted that Lithuania’s defense spending will reach 3% of its GDP this year and will continue to rise in the future. The Head of State underscored the need for the NATO Summit to make progress on implementing regional defense plans, particularly the rotational air defense model.
The Head of State emphasized the importance of cooperation between Lithuania and Estonia in energy security, critical infrastructure protection, and resilience. The President noted that recent provocations by Russia on NATO territory and its borders aim to test NATO’s unity and response. Therefore, it is crucial for the European Union and NATO to demonstrate strong political will, foster close cooperation, and openly raise the issue of response to Russia.
“We have always stood shoulder to shoulder in defense of our freedom, never succumbing to Soviet oppression. Together, we walked the path of democracy and became members of the European Union and NATO. We have built a secure and prosperous Baltic region where people are free to shape their own lives and take pride in their country,” the President said.
Gitanas Nausėda and Alar Karis discussed the project of synchronization of the Baltic electricity grids with the Continental European grids. According to the Lithuanian leader, this synchronization must be completed by February 2025 to ensure that the Baltic countries achieve full energy independence from Russia. The President also emphasized the importance of the Rail Baltica project for the region’s military mobility, highlighting the need for its smooth implementation and securing the necessary EU funding.
