Lithuania to centre EU presidency on security and competitiveness

President Gitanas Nauseda told reporters in Athens that Lithuania’s six-month EU Council presidency, set for the first half of 2027, will centre on enhancing the bloc’s security and its economic competitiveness. He met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and both leaders reviewed the collaborative agenda of the presidency trio comprising Ireland, Lithuania and Greece. The discussion stressed a collective commitment to a strong, democratic and secure Europe, with particular emphasis on defending the sovereignty of front-line EU and NATO members such as Lithuania and Greece.

Mitsotakis expressed “absolute solidarity” with Lithuania over recent hybrid attacks and urged a unified European response, including joint development of cost-effective drone-defence systems. He also linked migration management to the EU’s values and the Pact on Migration and Asylum, and called for a more ambitious long-term budget to support cohesion and competitiveness. Finally, Mitsotakis reiterated support for a just peace in Ukraine that guarantees its territorial integrity and security guarantees.