Head of Government Discusses Regional Security, support for Ukraine and Strengthening Bilateral Ties With Swedish Prime Minister
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė received Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the Government. The Heads of Government discussed regional security, the need to strengthen and accelerate support to Ukraine, Nordic-Baltic cooperation in the areas of security, energy, and protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, as well as the promotion of bilateral economic cooperation between Lithuania and Sweden.
"When we last met, Lithuania and Sweden were close partners and like-minded countries for many years, and today we are also linked by NATO membership. We are allies who can and will do more for our common security, which is the starting point of prosperity. It is very important that we, all the countries backing Ukraine and its struggle for freedom, strengthen and expand our support - there is no better way to stop Russia, which continues to wage war and to aggress against the West," said Prime Minister Šimonytė.
The meeting discussed cooperation between Lithuania and Sweden in NATO, the North-Baltic Eight format and on a bilateral basis - as the Prime Minister pointed out, Lithuania particularly appreciates all of these relations and their development on all levels.
Russia's actions clearly show that it remains a long-term threat, the Prime Minister stressed, which is why the NATO Allies' focus on strengthening collective defence and increased investment in defence must be an immediate priority.
Lithuania and Sweden enjoy an active and dynamic economic relationship, but there is still significant untapped potential in innovative high-tech sectors. Improving the conditions for cooperation and business partnerships in these areas is one of the governments' objectives.