Nauseda highlights Lithuania-Czech cooperation in defense and tech sectors

VILNIUS - President Gitanas Nauseda said on Thursday he sees significant potential for strengthening cooperation between Lithuania and Czech in the defense industry and high value-added sectors, hoping for joint projects between companies from both countries.

"Trade and investments between our countries are growing (...). We see potential to expand cooperation in the defense industry, drone technologies, as well as in high value-added sectors, life sciences, information technologies, and artificial intelligence," Nauseda told reporters at a joint press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel in Vilnius.

He stated that he discussed with Pavel how to strengthen trade relations and Lithuanian investments in Czech, as well as Czech investments in Lithuania.

"Tomorrow's business forum will reveal the potential of companies genuinely interested in developing joint projects, not just in words but in deeds. This will extend far beyond defense industry companies to include life sciences, information technology, and artificial intelligence firms," Nauseda said.

Nauseda said that during his meeting with Pavel, they also discussed protection of critical energy infrastructure and implementation of cross-border projects.

Pavel said that several cooperation agreements would be signed between Lithuanian and Czech companies during a business forum on Friday.

"Our companies and companies from Lithuania will sign several joint agreements on cooperation, especially in security, defense, and biotechnology. We are also open to cooperation in the modernization project of the Lithuanian armed forces. Our companies, which have experience in the defense sector, have a lot to offer," Pavel told reporters.

Cooperation on modular nuclear reactors was also discussed during the meeting, he added.

Pavel also met with Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene. They discussed bilateral relations, strengthening regional security, support for Ukraine, and transatlantic ties.

"Lithuania and the Czech Republic are countries united by common interests and values. This is reflected in our support for Ukraine, which is important to continue and strengthen. With Russia remaining a long-term threat to Europe, we must continue to strengthen our common security, defense, and resilience, including against hybrid threats," Ruginiene said.

The Czech president, Nauseda, and Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovicius also visited the Padvarionys border outpost, where they discussed migration at the European Union’s eastern border and common regional security challenges.