Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Landsbergis in Luxembourg: “We have to make sure that Ukraine receives all the support it needs to win against Russia and boost the EU defence industry”
On 23 October, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis attended the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council. Foreign affairs ministers discussed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, exchanged views on the developments concerning Armenia and Azerbaijan, and debated the situation in Israel and other topical issues.
“We have to make sure that Ukraine receives all the support it needs to win against Russia - we cannot allow the aggressor to take advantage of the growing number of hot spots in the world that need the attention of the EU and the international community,” Landsbergis said.
EU foreign ministers discussed the EU’s commitment to strengthening Ukraine’s resilience and security by moving towards long-term planning.
“EU’s military commitment to Ukraine strengthens us all and contributes efficiently to deterrence. At the same time, the European Peace Facility is helping to boost the EU defence industry and strengthen the security of our continent,” said Landsbergis.
EU ministers also discussed the situation in Israel and the region following the Hamas attack and humanitarian assistance to Palestine, stressing Israel’s right to defend itself following international and humanitarian law. They highlighted the need to protect civilians in Gaza, avoid escalation in the region and the importance of a political solution to the conflict.
The 19th EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting also took place on the Council’s margins. It discussed advancing inter-regional cooperation on common security challenges, economic and trade, and other issues.
The discussions focused on Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine and the need for countries to join efforts to help Ukraine defend itself against the aggression and defend the rules-based international order. The parties also noted the need for concrete measures to prevent circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus across Central Asian territories and achieve result-oriented dialogue.
In Luxembourg, Landsbergis also held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov. The meeting discussed cooperation in transport, culture, business development and other areas.
“Lithuania speaks up in favour of strengthening cooperation with Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries – distant but important partners of the EU,” Landsbergis said at the bilateral meeting.
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