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The President: We are proud to be a member of the strongest military alliance

President of the Republic of Lithuania

March 29, 2023

On Wednesday, President Gitanas Nausėda met with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Gerard Cavoli. The President and the General discussed the security situation in the region, the strengthening of the security of the Baltic region and NATO's eastern flank, and preparations for the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

During the conversation, the President emphasized that Lithuania viewed NATO membership as a guarantor of its security. According to Gitanas Nausėda, Lithuania's security situation remains complex, tense, and unpredictable due to the threat posed by Russia in the region, which is why we are placing special emphasis on strengthening our security and increasing national defense investments. President Gitanas Nausėda pointed out that Lithuania spends 2.5% of its GDP on defense and aims to gradually increase this spending to 3%. According to the President, the allies need to agree on a minimum threshold for defense budgets, which should not be lower than 2%.

"Today Lithuania celebrates the 19th anniversary of its accession to NATO. It was the best decision we could have ever taken, which has led to the fact that we are now free, independent, and strong together with our allies. We are proud to be a member of the strongest military alliance. We must continue to work together to reinforce our indivisible security and to protect what is precious to all of us—freedom and peace," the President spoke.

Gitanas Nausėda stressed that strengthening NATO's eastern flank had to remain among priorities of the Alliance. According to the President, agreeing on new NATO regional defense plans before the Vilnius Summit is essential, as well as implementing the decisions taken in Madrid. The Lithuanian leader underlined the importance of shifting towards forward defense and the enhancement of air defense in the Baltic region.

President Gitanas Nausėda conferred the Cross of Commander of the Order for Merits to Lithuania on Christopher G. Cavoli for his contribution to strengthening Lithuania's security.