News

On 29 January, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys met his Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis, who is visiting Vilnius. The two ministers discussed bilateral cooperation, security, and assistance to Ukraine.

Budrys and the Greek Foreign Minister discussed the increasing frequency of hybrid attacks and acts of sabotage in Europe. Budrys stressed the importance of stepping up efforts and activities to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and to respond appropriately to incidents.

The Ministers discussed preparations for the NATO Summit, which will be held in The Hague in the summer. The Head of Lithuania's diplomacy stressed the need to increase the Allies' commitment to financing defence—at least 3% of GDP.

"The security situation in Europe dictates priorities - defence must be the top priority. Lithuania has already committed to spending up to 6% on defence in the years 2026-2030. We call on our allies to follow suit. The future of Europe's security depends on our actions today," the Minister said.

The Head of Lithuania's diplomacy and his Greek counterpart also discussed support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. Budrys stressed that a strong Ukraine is the best investment for peace and stability not only in Europe but also in the world. According to the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, it is important to continue to use sanctions to weaken the Russian war machine, prevent it from taking a breather, accumulate the resources necessary for war, and attack with renewed vigour.

The foreign ministers of Lithuania and Greece also discussed migration and the protection of the EU's external border. Budrys stressed the need for effective measures at EU level to strengthen the security of the EU's external borders and effectively prevent instrumentalised migration.