As reported by the Government, the conversation highlighted the importance of partnership in the context of security challenges and hybrid threats.
M. Sinkevičius thanked Spain for its significant contribution to the air defense of the Baltic countries and strengthening regional security, and also discussed opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in the defense industry sector.
“Today Europe faces growing and ever-evolving hybrid threats to which we must respond unitedly. Our security is indivisible. Therefore, we must strengthen both our defense capabilities and the resilience of societies and states,” the Prime Minister was quoted as saying in the statement.
With Lithuania’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2027, the conversation also covered the priorities of the presidency. M. Sinkevičius emphasized that the security of the eastern flank must become a horizontal priority of the Union and be properly reflected in the new EU multiannual financial framework.
The Prime Ministers also discussed the need to strengthen the protection of the EU’s external borders and more effectively manage illegal migration flows. Lithuania and Spain face different but migration pressure forms requiring a common European response, so it is important to strengthen cooperation among EU member states, border protection capabilities, and solidarity.
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The conversation also emphasized the need to continue increasing European support for Ukraine.
BNS wrote that at the end of July, about 72,000 migrants stormed the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, prompting Spain to summon the Moroccan ambassador in the second half of August.
P. Sánchez stated in early September that there is no solid evidence of Morocco’s role in organizing the migrant crisis. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people in Ceuta and across Spain protested against the left-wing government’s actions in addressing this crisis.
At the same time, Lithuania is experiencing illegal migration pressure from Belarus. Since the start of the crisis caused by the Minsk regime, the country’s border guards have not allowed over 26,000 foreigners to enter. The influx to the eastern EU members from Belarus began in 2021.
