Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas attended the European Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), Brussels, which focused on strengthening European defense capabilities, defence cooperation and EU assistance to Ukraine.
The meeting began with a Steering Board of EDA (European Defence Agency, responsible for assisting European member states to develop military capabilities and providing support to defence cooperation projects) which took stock of the Long Term Review update.
“We must continue the dialogue with NATO, especially concerning classified information exchange, as well as to make good use of the Administrative Arrangement between EDA and Ukraine and to update it according to Ukraine’s needs. I welcome the progress made in implementing capability development priorities and cooperation options that match our own national interests, primarily, air defence, drones and land force capability development,” said Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas. Minister underscored the importance of strengthening the European defence industrial base because it represented a shared interest of all members and would not only contribute to assistance to Ukraine but would also improve own defence capabilities. .
EDA is involved in joint 155 mm ammunition acquisitions as requirement coordinator and in compounding the request. Currently Russia produces three times the amount of shells Europe and U.S are supplying Ukraine with. That is a strong call for decisions regarding the Ukraine Assistance Fund and the 8th assistance package under the European Peace Facility. Another important result is the agreement on the use of revenues generated by the frozen Russian assets. According to L. Kasčiūnas, it must be used to finance Ukraine’s urgent needs: air defence systems, artillery ammunition, drones.
Minister of National Defence also noted for the Foreign Affairs Council that Lithuania planned to sign an agreement with Ukraine on committing 0.25 percent of GDP for Ukraine’s security and defence every year.
The meeting also addressed the EU Innovation Office opening plans in in Kyiv to bridge EU start-ups and innovators with Ukraine’s industry and armed forces. The office will transfer data on technological breakthroughs potentially meaningful in terms of battlefield developments and create opportunity for the Ukrainian defence industry to integrate with the European defence system.
Minister L. Kasčiūnas met with Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic Jana Černochová in Brussels and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on procuring artillery ammunition to Ukraine. Lithuania has adhered to the Czech-led international initiative for ammunition procurement and contributed EUR 35 million.
