On November 20 European Union Ministers of Defence met via teleconference, Lithuania was represented by acting Vice Minister of National Defence Eimutis Misiūnas. EU Defence Ministers centred on the Strategic Compass process that should set EU guidelines and practical security and defence objectives and prioritise external crisis management, assistance to partner, and increasing resilience of the EU and EU citizens.
Acting Vice Minister of National Defence E. Misiūnas emphasised at the meeting Lithuania’s priorities expected to be reflected in the developed Strategic Compass process which will be a new impetus for the European defence and security. “Even though the European Union has begun a number of new defence initiatives, and defence financing in Europe has improved significantly as well, its results will show in the future, while serious threats are at our borders today. Therefore Europe must not reduce cooperation with NATO and our strategic allies in America. The United States of America and NATO have strategic importance to the European Union today, and we have no doubt that it will the same in the future,” said E. Misiūnas said.
Another Lithuania’s priority that the acting Vice Minister of National Defence pointed out at the meeting was a more active EU involvement in security and defence-related assistance to our Eastern neighbourhood countries that are undergoing serious challenges as their societies are seeking historical change. Citizens of those countries anticipate an active EU role in supporting European values and contributing to the security of the EU Eastern Partnership countries.
Photo credits: lfredas Pliadis/MoD
