VILNIUS - Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius called for stronger European Union airspace security during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, the government's office said.
"We are responsible for protecting the external border of the EU and NATO and are increasingly feeling the consequences of the war caused by Russia in Europe. I am convinced that strengthening air defense is now an urgent priority. We welcome all EU initiatives to date and propose further consolidating the bloc's efforts based on the fundamental principle that a secure EU eastern flank border and airspace is our common concern," Sinkevicius said.
Sinkevicius also invited the European Commission chief to hold a high-level European security and resilience forum in Vilnius during Lithuania's presidency of the Council of the European Union, with special attention to the security needs of eastern flank countries and ensuring those needs are met.
Lithuania seeks sufficient and sustainable funding for the security and defense of eastern flank countries in the 2028-2034 European Union financial framework, including investments in external border protection, strategic infrastructure and military mobility. Among the most important projects, Sinkevicius highlighted Rail Baltica and Via Baltica.
The prime minister stressed the need to increase overall European Union support for Ukraine and maintain pressure on Russia, and expressed a goal of making progress on European Union enlargement during Lithuania's presidency of the Council of the European Union, with particular attention to the accession negotiations of Ukraine and Moldova.
Lithuania will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union from January 1 to June 30, 2027. This will be the second time the country takes on the role.
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