Nauseda says Sweden, Finland NATO entry opens defence cooperation opportunities

VILNIUS - President Gitanas Nauseda said on Monday that Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO has opened new avenues for defence cooperation, with Lithuania particularly focused on strengthening its defence industry, as he hosted Sweden’s king and queen.

"Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has highlighted the strategic importance of the entire Baltic Sea region. With Sweden and Finland joining NATO, new opportunities have emerged for our countries to develop cooperation in the field of defence. Lithuania is especially interested in strengthening the defence industry as a key element of long-term security," Nauseda told reporters on Monday.

The president welcomed the fact that Vilnius and Stockholm are jointly supporting Ukraine and making significant efforts to create a foundation for sustainable peace.

Nauseda also noted that this year marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of Catherine Jagiellon, Duchess of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, who contributed significantly to the formation of a common cultural space in the Baltic Sea region.

King Carl XVI Gustaf said Lithuania is "one of Sweden’s closest friends," adding that relations between Vilnius and Stockholm are being strengthened by growing cooperation in the fields of economy, security and defence.

"Lithuania and Sweden together defend freedom, independence and respect for international law. As members of NATO and the European Union, we are partners for peace and stability and firmly support Ukraine. I recently visited Kyiv and saw with my own eyes what our joint support means for the Ukrainian people," the king said.

During the visit, the royal couple and Lithuanian leaders will visit the Ukrainian Centre, open a new nursing hospital in Vilnius, and visit a unit of the State Border Guard Service in Mickunai.

This is not the first visit of the Swedish royal family to Lithuania; King Carl XVI Gustaf visited the country in 1992 and 2015, while Nauseda visited Sweden in early May to discuss bilateral ties and regional security with the king.