Lithuanian president to discuss US, Georgian elections with European leaders

VILNIUS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda is heading to Budapest on Thursday to participate in the European Political Community (EPC) summit and an informal meeting of the European Council.

Nauseda will discuss recent elections in the US, Moldova, and Georgia with European leaders, his office said in a press release.

In early November, Moldova re-elected its pro-Western President Maia Sandu. The election in the small nation sandwiched between war-torn Ukraine and the European Union was overshadowed by allegations of meddling by Russia and took place just two weeks after a referendum that narrowly supported joining the bloc.

In late October, the ruling Georgian Dream party won the country's parliamentary election. The opposition has accused the party of electoral fraud, and European countries have called for the establishment of an international commission to investigate alleged election irregularities.

On Wednesday, Donald Trump emerged as the winner of the US presidential race.

The EPC summit will address Europe's security challenges, migration, and economic security. About 50 European leaders are expected to participate, along with heads of EU institutions and international organizations.

The informal European Council meeting will focus on the EU's competitiveness strategy and discuss a report on competitiveness by former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, according to Nauseda's office.

The president is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings during his visit.