Unified Shield from North to South: Lithuanian and Spanish Prime Ministers Discussed Protection of NATO and EU External Borders
Lithuania and Spain are NATO and EU allies with strong bilateral ties. During a conversation on Wednesday, Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the importance of closer cooperation in addressing security challenges and hybrid threats.
The Prime Minister thanked Spain for its significant contribution to the Baltic states’ air defence and to regional security. The two leaders also discussed opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in the defence industry.
“Today, Europe is facing growing hybrid threats that are taking on ever-new forms, and we must respond to them in a united manner. Our security is indivisible. Therefore, we must strengthen both our defence capabilities and the resilience of our societies and states,” Prime Minister M. Sinkevičius said.
As Lithuania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027 approaches, the conversation also covered Lithuania’s priorities for its presidency. M. Sinkevičius stressed that the security of the eastern flank must become a horizontal priority for the European Union and be adequately reflected in the EU’s new multiannual financial framework.
The two Prime Ministers also discussed the need to strengthen the protection of the European Union’s external borders and improve the management of irregular migration flows. Lithuania and Spain face different migration challenges, but both require a coordinated European response. The Prime Ministers stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation among EU Member States, enhancing border protection, and ensuring greater solidarity.
The conversation also underscored the need to further strengthen European support for Ukraine.