The Presidents of Lithuania and the Czech Republic discussed strengthening regional security and expanding bilateral cooperation

On Thursday, President Gitanas Nausėda met with the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, who arrived in Lithuania on a state visit. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, strengthening regional security, and cooperation within NATO and the European Union.

Special attention was devoted to regional security and collective defense. The President stressed that Russia remains the main threat to Euro-Atlantic security, making it essential to consistently strengthen both national and NATO capabilities and deterrence measures. He thanked the Czech Republic for its contribution to the NATO enhanced forward presence battlegroup in Lithuania since 2018 and expressed hope that the Czech Republic will again contribute to the Baltic Air Policing mission in the future.

The President also emphasized the importance of a strong transatlantic bond for NATO's collective defense. According to the President, the continued presence of U.S. and multinational NATO forces in the region is a key deterrence factor. He noted that a strong NATO eastern flank is a prerequisite for the security of all Europe, and that particular focus should be placed on air and missile defense, military mobility, and the concentration of allied forces in the region.

Support for Ukraine was also discussed during the meeting. The Lithuanian President highlighted the Czech Republic's leadership and initiatives to strengthen Ukraine's defense and called for further strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities, increasing pressure on Russia through sanctions, and ensuring accountability for the crime of aggression. Lithuania has been participating since 2024 in the Czech-initiated project to supply ammunition to Ukraine.

Considerable attention was devoted to bilateral economic cooperation. The Presidents discussed the potential for growth in trade and investment, as well as opportunities for cooperation in the defense industry, particularly in the fields of drone technologies and artificial intelligence. Gitanas Nausėda noted the importance of the business delegation accompanying the President of the Czech Republic, which will participate in a joint business forum during the visit.

The meeting also addressed enhancing energy security, including critical infrastructure projects and the use of EU financing instruments. The President welcomed the Czech Republic's decision to follow Lithuania's example and completely abandon Russian energy resources.

Gitanas Nausėda also highlighted the importance of historical, cultural, and academic ties between the two countries, noting their joint participation in the activities of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience and in the European memorial project in Brussels dedicated to honoring the victims of the totalitarian regimes of the twentieth century. The meeting also focused on opportunities to expand cooperation in science, innovation, and education, as well as the promotion of the Lithuanian language and Baltic studies in the Czech Republic.