Addressing the European leaders, the President said that the EU economy now needs a boost to accelerate progress. According to the Head of State, it is important to take into account the geopolitical and geo-economic context as the EU seeks to strengthen its competitive edge.
“We are at a critical juncture for the EU economy. Without concrete action and clear timelines, we risk facing difficult trade-offs between people’s well-being, environmental goals, and security needs in the near future. Lithuania has demonstrated that economic and energy transformation enhances resilience, provides opportunities for budget reallocation, strengthens defense and improves the quality of life. This is what we need at EU level,” the President said.
Referring to the Draghi report on improving the EU’s competitiveness, the Head of State outlined several priority areas essential for the EU’s economic growth and transformation. He highlighted the need to reinforce the internal market, reduce dependence on third countries—particularly for raw materials and technology—and expand the use of financial instruments, including borrowing for strategic priorities.
The President also stressed the need to strengthen the EU’s defense industry, focusing on the production of air and missile defense systems and munitions in Europe, and to strengthen the EU’s energy security by eliminating energy dependence on Russia and increasing the diversification of energy sources.
