Lithuania, inspired by Poland’s example, aims to allocate more than 3 percent of its GDP to defense, President Gitanas Nauseda said in Warsaw on Wednesday.
Currently, Poland allocates 4 percent of its GDP to defense, while Lithuania spends 3 percent. However, Warsaw plans to increase its defense spending to 5 percent of GDP next year.
Nauseda, on his first bilateral visit to the neighboring country since his re-election, made these remarks during a joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
“I am glad that Poland shares our view on the responsibility of funding defense,” the Lithuanian leader said. “I have closely followed your initiatives, Mr. President, to encourage NATO members to spend not 2 percent but at least 3 percent of their GDP on defense.”
“For us, this is not only acceptable; we welcome such an initiative. Lithuania, for its part, has already reached the 3 percent defense funding threshold, and I believe we will not stop there, as we are inspired by Poland’s example,” he added.
Nauseda noted that Poland also has many other areas that need funding but “understands very well where the priority lies”.
“Today, the priority is security. Without security and ensuring the safety of our external borders, it is very difficult to address economic and social issues and pursue economic progress,” he said.
The president also noted that the countries are ready to train Ukrainian troops at the Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian brigade’s base, which he and Duda plan to visit on Thursday.
“Ukraine’s victory is the best guarantee of peace and stability in Europe, so we must do everything we can to support Ukraine in achieving that victory and provide the necessary support to our suffering neighbor,” he said.
Nauseda said he expects that it will be possible to elevate the issue of Ukraine’s integration to an even higher level and “bring Ukraine closer to the Europe it deserves” when Poland takes over the rotating EU presidency next year.
“Lithuania will take over the EU presidency in 2027, and I believe that many issues will also be very important, both concerning Ukraine’s membership and the 2028-203 financial framework,” the Lithuanian president said.
“I hope for support from our like-minded partner Poland in achieving the goals set for our presidency,” he added.
Nauseda and Duda also discussed the improvement of strategic infrastructure, energy security, and military mobility.
On Thursday, the two presidents will visit a Lithuania-Poland defense industry forum in Warsaw, which is expected to bring together over 70 defense companies from the two countries.
This year marks the 455th anniversary of the Union of Lublin and the 510th anniversary of the Battle of Orsha, in which the combined forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland defeated Moscow’s forces.
Nauseda’s office has said that to mark the occasion, the president will visit the castle in Lublin, where he and Duda will sign a declaration on further cooperation between the two countries, as well as the Lithuanian Square and the Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian brigade’s headquarters.
The Union of Lublin was concluded on July 1, 1569, uniting the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland into the Commonwealth of the Two Nations.
Source: BNS
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