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On 17 February, diplomat Simonas Šatūnas was awarded the honorary badge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Lithuania's Diplomacy Star. The award was given in recognition of his consistent efforts to strengthen Lithuania's defence through EU-level initiatives and for actively shaping decisions that directly contribute to Lithuania's security.

"Today, you are not only contributing to the strategic decisions of the EU in the area of defence and security, but also ensuring that Lithuania has real opportunities to make use of them and enhance its own security," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Simonas Šatūnas has made signigicant efforts to ensure that EU‑level initiatives strengthen not only the defense capabilities of the entire EU, but also those of Lithuania.

Under the leadership of the Cabinet of the European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, Šatūnas is working consistently to create EU-level initiatives that Lithuania could also use to strengthen its defence sector and security. Šatūnas also actively contributes to the fact that the proposals presented by the European Commission on financial instruments for strengthening defence include conditions that would not prevent Lithuania from accessing them.
Previously, Simonas Šatūnas served as the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, worked at the European Commission, was Head of Cabinet of a Lithuanian politician who served as the European Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius, and worked as Brussels-based Deputy Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the EU (Coreper 1 Ambassador) from 2019 to 2022. Later, he served as the Temporary Permanent Representative to the EU and COREPER 2 Ambassador.