Karis emphasizes importance of allied relations in Lithuania

TALLINN - During a state visit to Lithuania, President Alar Karis emphasized the importance of Baltic and Nordic cooperation in a meeting with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, noting that security is built on close allied relations.

"We live in a time when the previous balance has shifted. Our strength comes from clarity, consistency, and cooperation. In a changing world, influence is not determined by the size of a country, but by the example we set and with whom and how we act together. Therefore, Baltic-Nordic cooperation is of central importance to us," said the head of state.

President Karis noted that the state visit to Lithuania comes at a significant time. "It marks 105 years since the beginning of diplomatic relations between Estonia and Lithuania. This reaffirms our long-standing and close partnership at a time when the world around us is changing and the security situation is much more uncertain than before," said the Estonian head of state. "Estonia and Lithuania are united by a cooperation and friendship that has grown strong over time. We operate in the same security space, where our decisions directly affect each other's security and development," he added.

Presidents Karis and Nausėda discussed defense cooperation and security issues. "Both Estonia and Lithuania take national defense and security seriously. Both Lithuania and Estonia have raised their defense spending to over five percent of GDP, and we intend to continue this in the coming years. But higher spending alone does not guarantee security-these expenditures must go into creating real military capabilities. Our ability to defend ourselves must grow."

President Karis noted that the development of the defense industry is of central importance. "We need an industry that can meet our own defense needs as well as create new solutions for current and future threats and bring them to the international market," said the head of state. "I am also accompanied on this visit by a large business delegation with strong representation from the cyber and defense sectors. This clearly shows that our cooperation is increasingly moving towards an area where the economy and security are closely linked," the president said.

He emphasized that progress must also be made on this at the European level. "Security is indivisible. We need more common solutions to strengthen the defense of the eastern flank. The entire European defense industry must consolidate and work towards a common goal," said President Karis.

The Estonian and Lithuanian heads of state also spoke about the construction of Rail Baltica, and President Karis noted that it is not just a transport project, but one that connects our region more closely with Europe. "It is vitally important and must also be a priority in the European Union's budget negotiations," he remarked.

According to President Karis, Russia is and will remain the most serious threat to European security. "Thus, Ukraine must remain at the center of Europe's attention. This means we must increase support for Ukraine, maintain pressure on Russia, and strengthen our own defense capabilities," said the Estonian head of state. He added that Estonia is preparing to host the Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2027 to contribute to the country's reconstruction.

The Estonian and Lithuanian heads of state also discussed the transatlantic bond. "This bond is the foundation of the free world's security. Europe and the United States are stronger together-the US presence in Europe and Europe's own greater responsibility must go hand in hand," said President Karis.

The heads of state also discussed the ongoing war in the Middle East and its effects.

On Wednesday, President Karis is scheduled to meet with Speaker of the Seimas Juozas Olekas and Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė. The discussions will focus on security and defense cooperation, support for Ukraine, NATO and transatlantic relations, regional cooperation, issues related to Belarus, and events in the Middle East. Economic and regional cooperation, the role of artificial intelligence in the economy and education, and Lithuania's preparations for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027 will also be addressed.

The head of state is accompanied on the visit by members of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa and Luisa Värk, Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, Deputy Commander of the Defence Forces Major General Viktor Kalnitski, Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Oliver Väärtnõu, Mayor of Tartu Urmas Klaas, and Director General of the Centre for Defence Investments Elmar Vaher.