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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, continues his working visit to Israel. On Tuesday at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Minister delivered a speech on global security challenges, highlighting the close ties between Europe and the Levant.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, continues his working visit to Israel. On Tuesday at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Minister delivered a speech  on global security challenges, highlighting the close ties between Europe and the Levant.

In his speech, the Minister stressed that when it comes to the security of our regions – Europe and the Levant – we need to look at it from three interlinked perspectives: as indivisible, complementary, and based on practical cooperation.

According to the Minister, developments in Europe not only affect the Levant, they directly impact it, and vice versa. “In the second half of 2022, Iran’s supply of military drones and instructors to Russia changed the dynamics of the war in Ukraine. Today, Russia has become an important hub for the production of Iranian drones. Lithuania’s actions to strengthen security in Europe contribute to security in the Levant, while Israel’s activities in the Levant generate impacts on European security’, said the Minister.

Budrys also noted that Russia rewards Iran by providing intelligence assistance, blocking attempts at the United Nations Security Council to quash its nuclear ambitions, which pose a threat to other states, in particular Israel.

The head of Lithuania's diplomacy noted Lithuania's efforts in the European Union to limit Iran's military capabilities, including initiatives on sanctions and export controls. At the same time, the Minister noted Israel's contribution to reducing the capabilities of Iranian drones and Ukraine's experience shared with European states in the fight against Iranian and Russian drones.

"Although the priorities of our regions do not always coincide, we can build mutual understanding based on shared values and practical cooperation," he said.

According to Budrys, Lithuania and Israel set an example of a successful partnership - the countries are developing mutually beneficial political dialogue and military industry cooperation. "Lithuania is strengthening its military capabilities through the acquisition of Israeli defence technology, while Israel is expanding export markets, partnerships, and bolstering its defence sector resilience," Budrys said.

The Minister also met with the University's management and discussed academic cooperation between Lithuanian and Israeli higher education institutions.