Lithuania ready to step up its strategic partnership with Poland – president

VILNIUS – Lithuania ready to step up its strategic partnership with Poland, President Gitanas Nauseda said on Monday after meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Vilnius.

"We are close allies and strategic partners. The security situation requires our consolidated efforts. Lithuania is ready to maintain and strengthen its strategic partnership with Poland in ensuring regional security, providing support for Ukraine, and implementing joint initiatives for the development of the security and defense industry," the president stated.

The Lithuanian leader underlined his appreciation of Poland’s contribution to the security of our region, its participation in the Baltic air policing mission, as well as its continued support for Ukraine and the leadership it demonstrates in defense spending, the statement of the presidential press service reads.

Nauseda also expressed concern about the situation on the Lithuanian-Polish border as Polish farmers started blocking a road at the former Kalvarija-Budzisko border checkpoint on the Lithuanian-Polish border, looking for Ukrainian grain in Lithuanian trucks.

"We trust in the Polish authorities to find solutions that will continue to ensure proper movement of goods and persons in the internal market of the European Union," Nauseda added.

On support for Ukraine, he underlined that the democratic world has to maintain its unity, focus and pace in supporting the country attacked by the aggressor Russia until victory.

"Today, Ukraine needs reinforced and long-term military support more than ever. We must fulfil our commitments to deliver 1 million artillery rounds to Ukraine. We need to strengthen the EU defense industry and to create the necessary financial instruments for its development and for ensuring the supply of ammunition to Ukraine," the Lithuanian president said.