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The President at the meeting with Italian Prime Minister: We need to significantly and rapidly increase Europe's defense capabilities

President of the Republic of Lithuania

March 04, 2025

On Tuesday, at the conclusion of his visit to the Vatican and Italy, President Gitanas Nausėda met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The two leaders discussed the agenda for the upcoming special European Council meeting and bilateral cooperation.

The Head of State emphasized that Italy is a key ally of Lithuania in both NATO and the EU, and Lithuania is committed to further strengthening political and economic ties with Italy.

The two leaders discussed the need to enhance security and defense cooperation in light of the current geopolitical situation. The President thanked the Italian Prime Minister for Italy's significant contribution to regional security, particularly through its participation in the Baltic air policing mission and its role in Lithuania's rotational air defense model.

Gitanas Nausėda stressed the urgency of expanding Europe's defense industry and welcomed Italy's commitment to significantly increasing defense spending and identifying practical solutions to secure additional financial resources. "We need to take all possible measures to rapidly boost European defense funding," the Head of State pointed out.

On Ukraine, the President underscored the need for the upcoming special European Council to take significant decisions on European security and support for Ukraine. "We must use our time efficiently. Europe has to focus on sustaining and increasing military aid to Ukraine. We would consider the possibility of European forces contributing to the implementation of a lasting and sustainable peace agreement," Gitanas Nausėda said at the meeting.

Discussing bilateral relations, Gitanas Nausėda highlighted Italy as a priority partner in economic sectors such as the defense industry, energy, and life sciences. He also emphasized the importance of the Lithuanian Season of Culture in Italy, set to begin this autumn.

The President's Communication Group