On December 12 outgoing Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas relinquished the flag and scepter, regalia of power, to the incoming Minister, Dovilė Šakalienė.
“It is the 262nd day since I assumed the office as Minister of National Defence today. I knew it was not going to be easy when I was coming, however, I had clear-cut goals in front of me, the most important of which was to roll up my sleeves and work every day to make Lithuania stronger. I can confidently confirm I have been able to achieve meaningful results over this time, including capability of the commandant’s offices, strengthened air defence, kicked off countermobility measures plan, and significant progress on preparations for the stationing of the German Brigade. Also, increased defence spending, foreign defence industry investment attracted to Lithuania, “dronisation” put on track, civic resistance courses organized, and other work done,” noted outgoing Minister L. Kasčiūnas summarizing his merits.
“My sincere gratitude for all of it goes out to the entire National Defence System team that shared in this effort and made sure it sees the light of the day. I wish to the new Minister the energy and dedication the awaiting important work and decisions require to continue strengthening the security of Lithuania,” said L. Kasčiūnas.
In her first address to the troop formation during the ceremony the incoming Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė underscored the importance of focus and time.
“I step into this responsible position ready to strengthen our national defence so that we can ensure a secure future for Lithuania. My main priorities are increasing defence funding, establishing the national division by 2030, preparing to host the German brigade by 2027, and a speedy development of the Lithuanian defence industry. We also need to further develop the transatlantic cooperation and foster partnerships in reflection of multiplying geopolitical challenges.
We will continue supporting Ukraine, we will enhance intelligence, implement the concept of civil defence and prepare the citizens for total defence. I am convinced that through hard yet necessary work the National Defence System and the whole Lithuania will get ready to face any challenge in a timely manner,” noted Minister D. Šakalienė.
D. Šakalienė graduated cum laude in legal psychology MA studies from Mykolas Romeris University and holds a BA in Psychology from Vilnius University.
In 2004-2005 D. Šakalienė worked at Mykolas Romeris University, in 2004-2015 she was the Program Director and the Executive Director at the Human Rights Monitoring Institute, D. Šakalienė also has work experience as a media representatives, strategist of an integrated communication company group,, a public policy consultant.
She has been tending to security and foreign policy since the first term at the Seimas in 2016: in 2016-2017 she was a member of the Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, she was a member for two terms in the Committee on National Security and Defence (including currently). She is a regular panelist at the Munich Security Conference, Warsaw Security Forum, Copenhagen Democracy Summit. D. Šakalienė is a co-founder and a co-chair of the Inter-parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), sanctioned by China since 2021 along with other 8 European Parliament Members in response to the EU sanctions against Chinese government’s persecution of Uyghurs as a result of which D. Šakalienė and her family members are prohibited from visiting China and Hong Kong.
Photo credit: A.Pliadis (MoD)
