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On 28 September, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigitas Mitkus visited Tallinn, where he discussed preparations for Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027, key items on the EU agenda, and other matters with officials from the Estonian Government Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the visit, Mitkus met with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to discuss Lithuania’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, bilateral and regional cooperation between Lithuania and Estonia, and key foreign policy objectives. The Vice-Minister underlined that Lithuania and Estonia share common positions on strengthening European and regional security, cooperation in the defence industry, increasing support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia, and countering hybrid threats.

“The security of the EU’s eastern border requires greater attention from the European Union as a whole. It is therefore important for Lithuania and Estonia to implement European common-interest defence projects as soon as possible and to strengthen defence industry partnerships with Ukraine,” said Vice-Minister S. Mitkus.

In meetings with Siim Tiidemann, Director for EU Affairs at the Government Office, Mariina Ratnik, Undersecretary for Economic and Development Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Martin Roger, Policy Director, Vice-Minister S. Mitkus presented Lithuania’s priorities for its Presidency of the Council of the EU. These include EU security and defence, support for Ukraine, EU enlargement, competitiveness and negotiations on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, as well as internal security and social resilience.

Mitkus noted that the current geopolitical environment and challenges are shaping both the EU agenda and Lithuania’s Presidency priorities. He emphasised that, during its Presidency of the Council of the EU, Lithuania will actively contribute to building a more resilient, secure and competitive European Union.

Consultations with Estonian representatives also covered joint action in negotiations on the future EU budget, efforts to counter the instrumentalisation of illegal migration and other hybrid threats, and cooperation among like-minded countries to ensure proper remembrance of the victims of 20th-century totalitarian regimes in Europe. The participants also discussed issues related to the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will take place in Estonia on 28-29 January 2027.

During his working visit to Tallinn, Vice-Minister S. Mitkus also met Kristi Raik, Director of the Estonian Centre for International Defence and Security. The meeting focused on Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2027 and issues related to economic security.