The President launches national program to strengthen German language skills: a strategic necessity

On Monday, President Gitanas Nausėda welcomed at the Presidential Palace participants of an inter-institutional discussion on promoting the German language and strengthening its teaching in Lithuania.

The President stressed that today's geopolitical reality dictates the need to strengthen ties with Germany, Lithuania's most important strategic partner in Europe, and that proficiency in German is becoming not only a matter of cultural awareness or personal education, but also a question of strategic importance. "Language proficiency is the key to strengthening the strategic partnership in all areas," the President said.

According to Gitanas Nausėda, Lithuania and Germany today are linked by exceptionally close cooperation in the fields of security, defense, the economy, culture, and academic exchange. He emphasized that Lithuania must seize this historic moment and aim to become Germany's closest ally in Northeastern and Central Europe.

The President noted that Germany is currently the largest provider of military assistance to Ukraine, is rapidly modernizing its armed forces, and is allocating significant capabilities to the security of NATO's eastern flank. Lithuania is preparing to host a permanently deployed German brigade, which will be stationed in the country by the end of 2027 and will, together with Lithuanian troops, ensure the country's defense. "No other country on NATO's eastern flank has such a strong commitment from one of Europe's major allies. It is a unique gift of our time. Let us cherish it," the President said.

The President also recalled historical ties between Lithuania and Germany - from the first mention of Lithuania's name in the Quedlinburg Annals, to Lithuanian-language publications issued in Lithuania Minor, and the support of a Saxon brigade from Germany for Lithuania in the fight against the Bolsheviks in 1919.

The discussion was attended by ministers, representatives of ministries, the Office of the Government, and other state institutions, diplomats, members of the academic community, German language specialists and teachers, school principals, representatives of municipalities, and the Lithuanian diaspora in Germany.

The President called for a joint effort to prepare a national program to strengthen German language education and promotion, and to set the goal of making German the most popular foreign language in Lithuania after English. "This will have political significance, will be practically beneficial for our people, will encourage even closer people-to-people ties between our nations, and will foster mutual trust," the President said.