The President met with Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris

Continuing his working visit to Ireland, President Gitanas Nausėda met with the country's Deputy Prime Minister (Tánaiste), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Minister for Defense, Simon Harris. The meeting focused on support for Ukraine and issues on the European Union agenda.

The President expressed his satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations between Lithuania and Ireland, highlighting the growing potential for cooperation at both political and economic levels, as well as the positive momentum in mutual investment.

Gitanas Nausėda and the Irish Deputy Prime Minister discussed the situation in Ukraine. The President welcomed Ireland's participation in the program funded by the European Commission and Lithuania, which aims to build bomb shelters in Ukrainian schools. He emphasized that Lithuania remains committed to being a reliable partner in implementing humanitarian projects in Ukraine and urged Ireland to increase its direct financial support for such initiatives.

The President stressed the importance of continuing military support for Ukraine in a consistent, comprehensive, long-term, and expanding manner. Only such a strategy, he said, can ensure Ukraine's victory and long-term security in Europe. Lithuania called on Ireland to actively support efforts to confiscate Russia's frozen assets and direct them towards Ukraine's reconstruction and compensation for war-related damages.

He also expressed hope that the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia would be adopted soon to maintain pressure on the aggressor. Lithuania supports the swift start of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, aiming for Ukraine to become a member state by 2030.

The meeting also addressed the situation in the Middle East, the need to strengthen the EU's competitiveness and economic resilience, negotiations on an ambitious multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034, and the upcoming EU Council Presidencies of both countries.