President Karis noted that the state visit to Lithuania comes at a significant time. “It is 105 years since the beginning of diplomatic relations between Estonia and Lithuania. This confirms our long-term and close partnership at a time when the world around us is changing and the security situation is much more uncertain than before,” said the Estonian head of state. “Estonia and Lithuania are united by cooperation and friendship that has grown strong over time. We act in the same security space, where our decisions directly affect each other’s security and development,” he added.
Presidents Karis and Nausėda discussed defence cooperation and security issues. “Estonia and Lithuania both take national defence and security seriously. Both Lithuania and Estonia have increased their defence expenditure to more than five percent of GDP and we intend to continue doing so in the coming years. But increased expenditure alone will not guarantee security – it must be spent on building real military capabilities. Our capability to defend ourselves must grow.”
President Karis noted that the development of the defence industry is of key importance. “We need an industry that can guarantee the needs of our own defence capabilities, as well as create new solutions against current and future threats and bring them to the international market,” said the head of state. “I am accompanied on this visit by a large delegation of companies with a strong representation from the cyber and defence sectors. This shows clearly that our cooperation is moving more and more towards areas where economy and security are closely linked,” said the President of the Republic.
He stressed that we must also move forward in this at the European level. “Security is a whole. We need more common solutions to strengthen the protection of the eastern flank. The entire European defence industry needs to consolidate, to work towards a common goal,” said President Karis.
The Estonian and Lithuanian heads of state also spoke about the construction of Rail Baltic, and President Karis noted that this is not only a transport project, but will connect our region more closely with Europe. “This is vitally important and must be a priority in the European Union’s budget negotiations," he said.
Russia is and will remain the most serious threat to Europe’s security, said President Karis. “This is why Ukraine must remain at the centre of Europe’s attention. It means that we must increase our support for Ukraine, maintain pressure on Russia and strengthen our own defence capabilities,” said the Estonian head of state. He added that Estonia is preparing to organise a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine in 2027 to contribute to rebuilding Ukraine.
The Estonian and Lithuanian heads of state also spoke about the transatlantic connection. “This connection is the basis for the security of the free world. Europe and the United States are stronger together – the presence of the US in Europe and Europe’s increased responsibility must go hand in hand,” said President Karis.
The heads of state also discussed the ongoing war in the Middle East and its repercussions.
Today, President Karis will be meeting with the Speaker of the Seimas Juozas Olekas and Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė. The discussions will focus on security and defence cooperation, support for Ukraine, NATO and transatlantic relations, regional cooperation, as well as issues related to Belarus and the Middle East. Economic and regional cooperation, the role of artificial intelligence in the economy and education, and Lithuania’s preparations for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027 will also be discussed.
President Karis will be accompanied on his visit by members of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa and Luisa Värk, Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, Deputy Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces Major General Viktor Kalnitski, Chairman of the Management Board of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Oliver Väärtnõu, Mayor of Tartu Urmas Klaas and Director General of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments Elmar Vaher.
Gallery (Office of the President of the Republic/Raigo Pajula): https://www.flickr.com/photos/presidendikantselei/albums/72177720333125689/
