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D. Šakalienė unveiled Lithuania's new strategy for security and defence engagement with the Indo-Pacific crafted by the Ministry of National Defence at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-06-02
International cooperation | Minister's news | Security and defense policy

Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė presented Lithuania's strategy for security and defence engagement in the Indo-Pacific formulated by the Ministry of National Defence at the key highest level security and defence forum in Asia, the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Lithuania is one of the first members of the European Union to pass such a document. Agreed to this May, the strategy was and centers on political dialogue in defence area, military cooperation (in the context of exercises and training), ties between the intelligence communities, experience-sharing in the field of cybersecurity, hybrid that countermeasures, development of joint industry objects, and other areas of Lithuania's strategic impact.

"The rapidly changing global security architecture demonstrate the tight connection between the challenges faced by Europe and the Indo-Pacific. For example, Japan has a border with russia just like Lithuania, and faces similar attacks like we do. The necessity to cooperate with IP4 countries in areas ranging from cyber security and joint training to defence industry and sharing experience on total defence or fight against disinformation due to the current potentially aggressive actions of Russia and China in both regions. The objectives also encompass regular working visits, development of intelligence ties and agreements on information sharing," Minister D. Šakalienė stressed.

The Ministry of National Defence works towards a stronger cooperation by strengthening diplomatic defence representation, participation in various security initiatives and developing joint defence industry projects.

While European security and threats presented by russia remain at the top of the agenda, the activity in the Indo-Pacific, be it bilateral, multilateral or U.S.-coordinated, is directly enhancing Lithuania's national security.

The Strategy states that Lithuania's engagement in the region shall be focused in the areas most sensitive to the impact of our specialized capabilities. Our activity shall be closely coordinated with EU, NATO and U.S. initiatives, and include development of strategic partnerships in order to ensure security value to all sides for the long-term.

"The growing cooperation among China, russia, North Korea and Iran should trigger an even stronger assembly of Allies and Partners from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. We can already witness today the cooperation of authoritarian regimes in practice - North Korean weapons and soldiers in Ukraine, the Russia-China-North Korea-strategic partnership, cyber and hybrid attacks against European and IP countries. Therefore, the narrative which dominated the Shangri-La Dialogue, the vitality of close cooperation of the EU, U.S. and the Indo-Pacific regions, is good news," underscored D. Šakalienė.

Minister also had bilateral meetings on the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30-June 1 with IP Defence Ministers with whom shared security challenges and security interests were discussed along with joint exercises, opportunities for defence industry cooperation, strengthening bilateral cooperation and assistance to Ukraine. D. Šakalienė met with Minister of Defence of Australia Richard Marles, Secretary of National Defence of the Philippines Gilbert Teodoro, Minister of Defence of New Zealand Judith Collins, Coordinating Minister for National Security of Singapore K. Shanmugam, Vice Minister of National Defence of Cambodia Rath Dararoth, and Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom Lord Coaker.

Follow the link for the Strategy of Security and Defence Engagement in the IP4 developed by the Ministry of National Defence.

The Shangri-la Dialogue is organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). It is a top-level platform for defence debate in Asia where Defence Ministers and security experts from the Indo-Pacific, Europe, North and South America, and other regions U worldwide address the most relevant security trends and topics of global security.