News

On 15 October in Vilnius, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys met with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU).

The meeting focused on the priorities of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the implementation of the EU-US trade agreement, the EU’s economic security, defence financing instruments and transatlantic cooperation.

Presenting the priorities of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Minister highlighted an ambitious competitiveness agenda aimed at completing the Single Market and developing an innovation-driven industrial sector. Budrys also stressed the need to strengthen Europe’s economic security and pursue a positive EU-US trade policy agenda.

“Lithuania seeks to strengthen the transatlantic partnership based on shared security and economic interests. A strong Europe is a reliable ally of the United States, while closer cooperation between Lithuania, the EU and the US in trade, technology and economic security opens up new opportunities. During Lithuania’s Presidency, we will seek concrete decisions that enhance Europe’s competitiveness and strengthen our collective resilience,” Budrys said.

Speaking about security priorities, Budrys stressed the need to increase investment in defence and preserve NATO’s central role as the cornerstone of collective defence. The Minister also emphasised the need to maintain continued support for Ukraine and facilitate its integration into the European security architecture, which will be among the priorities of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Budrys noted that Lithuania is a reliable partner of the United States and actively contributes to transatlantic security and economic cooperation. Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the EU will provide an opportunity to further strengthen EU-US ties and create more favourable conditions for investment.