Lithuanian president stresses importance of defense funding at talks with Albanian leader

VILNIUS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda stressed the need to increase defense funding at a meeting with Albanian President Bajram Begaj in Vilnius on Monday.

Nauseda stated that NATO allies needed to continue rapidly increasing their defense investments to reach the 3 percent GDP target, with a particular focus on air defense.

According to the Lithuanian leader, the recent crash of a Russian drone in Latvia, Lithuania's neighboring country, this past weekend once again underscores the need to strengthen air defense capabilities on NATO’s eastern flank and effectively implement NATO’s rotational air defense model, agreed upon at the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

Nauseda also stressed the importance of continued support for Ukraine, emphasizing that its victory is the path to lasting peace in Europe. 

The president confirmed Lithuania’s support for Albania’s Euro-integration aspirations and readiness to share experience and expertise in the process of gaining EU membership.

“I firmly believe that EU enlargement in the Western Balkans will ensure stability in the region and contribute to its prosperity. Albania consistently demonstrates its commitment to European values by aligning itself with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, supporting its sanctions policy and taking a principled stance on Russia's aggression against Ukraine,” a press release from the presidential office quoted Nauseda as saying.

The Albanian leader asserted in a presidential statement that Albania relies on Lithuania and the support of the EU for the country's accession to the Community and for the Euro-integration of the Western Balkan countries.

“We aim to further strengthen cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans, which is an extremely important step towards building a resilient and strong Europe. This is a strategic ambition for Albania, and Albania aims to align its foreign policy with the EU's foreign policy", Begaj said.

“I want to underline that Albania stands in full solidarity with Ukraine and we will continue to actively support Ukraine's territorial integrity and its independence within its internationally recognized borders without wavering. Albania supports Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” the Albanian leader said.

Begaj also said that he was “concerned” that economic cooperation and trade relations between Lithuania and Albania had not yet reached the same high level as political community.

This is the first visit by an Albanian leader to Lithuania since 2007.