On October 28, Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas received the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, Thérèse Blanchet, during her visit to Lithuania. The meeting focused on coordination ahead of Lithuania’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The General Secretariat of the Council will serve as one of the cornerstone EU bodies collaborating with Lithuania to ensure the smooth organization and continuity of the work of the Council, its advisory committees, and its working groups throughout the presidency period, which begins on January 1, 2027.
“Security and defence will be at the very top of Lithuania’s Presidency agenda. Therefore, we are intently focused on preparing for the upcoming demanding and dynamic period. We understand that the smooth delivery on the Presidency priorities will rely heavily on the close collaboration with the EU institutions, particularly, the General Secretariat of a Council. While this part of the daily work is not as visible, it is not any less important,” said R. Kaunas.
During the meeting, Minister outlined Lithuania’s primary priorities in the area of defence, namely, increasing defence readiness, with a particular focus on the Eastern Flank, strengthening the EU defence industry, securing sustained, long-term military support for Ukraine, further developing military mobility, and cyber security.
“ The security situation dictates the EU‘s key defence objectives clearer that ever: we must deploy financial, legislative, and other instruments to support Member States’ defence capability enhancement. Our goal is a Europe which assumes greater responsibility for its own security and serves as a stronger element within the Transatlantic Alliance. This is the benchmark we are setting for the Lithuanian Presidency period,” Minister emphasized.
Secretary-General Blanchet echoed his remarks, underscoring that EU defence initiatives must reinforce the European pillar of NATO and and to fill in critical capability gaps.
The Minister of National Defence also highlighted that Europe’s political ambition must be supported not just by sustained investments of Member States but also by funding at the EU level – to be secured in the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034.
When discussing military support for Ukraine, Minister Kaunas noted the importance of maintaining both bilateral assistance and the EU financial instruments. He also highlighted that it was key to integrate Ukraine’s defence industry with the EU defence technological and industrial base.
“Providing the conditions for the co-production of weaponry and military equipment with Ukraine will not just support the country’s defence against Russia but will also foster the development of battle-tested military capabilities that Europe needs,” stated Minister Kaunas.
Lithuania will take over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU from Ireland, continuing ongoing initiatives in the framework of the Presidency Trio format. Throughout the tenure, Lithuania will coordinate the work of the Council, broker consensus among Member States on key issues, and conduct negotiations with the European Parliament and the European Commission on European legislative initiatives.
