The President invites the Netherlands to contribute to air defense
President of the Republic of Lithuania
February 17, 2024
On Saturday, President Gitanas Nausėda met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. The President and the Dutch Prime Minister discussed regional security issues, support for Ukraine, and preparations for the NATO Summit in Washington.
Gitanas Nausėda thanked the Head of the Government of the Netherlands for his country's contribution to the security of Lithuania and the entire NATO's eastern flank, as well as for the troops deployed in our country as part of the forward presence. The President stressed the need to further strengthen the deterrence and forward defense of NATO's eastern flank by effectively implementing the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. Gitanas Nausėda invited the Netherlands to contribute to the implementation of the rotational air defense model in Lithuania.
"We currently allocate 2.75% of our GDP to defense and we will further increase this commitment in the near future. We are actively working with Germany to implement the decision to permanently station a German brigade in Lithuania. Investment in defense is the only way to ensure a lasting and sustainable peace. Deterrence is the best and lowest cost defense," the President spoke at the meeting.
Gitanas Nausėda also stressed the need to mobilize the full support of the allies for Ukraine.
According to the Head of State, the forthcoming NATO Summit in Washington needs to demonstrate the progress made since the Vilnius Summit in strengthening collective security. This, the President said, should include Ukraine's progress towards NATO membership and Sweden's accession to NATO.
The President's Communication Group
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