Prime Minister in Stockholm: The Strength of the Nordic-Baltic Countries Is Found Not Only in Defence Spending, but Also in Our Solidarity
Lithuania and Sweden are neighbours united by shared responsibilities, interests, and values, with a common understanding of threats and a commitment to deepening their successful cooperation in bilateral and regional formats. This was highlighted by Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas during meetings with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Speaker of the Riksdag Andreas Norlén, and members of parliament, as part of his working visit to Stockholm.
“The Baltic Sea does not divide Lithuania and Sweden — it unites us. We share responsibility for the security of critical infrastructure located in it, as well as the energy and trade connections that link our region. Our common interests and threats call for even more active cooperation to ensure deterrence, strengthen defence capabilities, and foster cohesion across all areas.
What matters is not only the percentage of GDP our regional countries allocate to defence, but also our solidarity. I am confident that we are ready to face all challenges together — as friends and allies should,” said Prime Minister G. Paluckas.
The Prime Minister added that cooperation within the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) should grow just as the challenges facing the region have grown in recent years, bringing like-minded countries even closer together.
On land, in the air, and at sea — in the face of multifaceted security challenges, coordinated and united action is essential.
Lithuania sees significant prospects for joint defence industry development projects and is ready to share responsibilities, expertise, and risks, viewing Sweden as a particularly capable and reliable partner in this field, G. Paluckas said.
Support for Ukraine was another key topic during the Prime Minister’s meetings in Stockholm. Support for the country under attack by Russia must continue and be strengthened in line with Ukraine’s most pressing needs, while pressure on the aggressor must be increased through sanctions, the Lithuanian Prime Minister stated.
The meetings also addressed the economic, trade, and energy ties between Lithuania and Sweden, which strengthen both countries and bolster their resilience.
Additionally, discussions touched on the most pressing issues on the EU agenda, priorities for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, and the importance of transatlantic cooperation.
