In Bucharest, Gitanas NausÄ—da presented the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to the Romanian leader

Gitanas Nausėda met with Romanian President Nicușor Dan on Wednesday in Bucharest on the sidelines of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic Summit.

During the meeting, Gitanas Nausėda presented the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2027. The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations, the security situation in Europe, and issues related to historical memory.

According to the President, Lithuania will assume the EU Council Presidency in the middle of the political cycle, making it necessary to continue and finalize a broad range of legislative and other initiatives.

"We will pay particular attention to strengthening and safeguarding EU unity so that the Union remains a reliable, resilient, and influential global actor capable of defending its interests and values. Lithuania will work to ensure that the EU remains a strong pillar of the rules-based international order, effectively addresses long-term geopolitical, demographic, and economic challenges, and strengthens citizens' confidence in the European project," the Lithuanian leader stated.

In the area of security and defense, President Gitanas Nausėda noted that EU flagship projects-such as the European Drone Defense Initiative and the Eastern Flank Watch-will be actively advanced, while key decisions related to military mobility and cybersecurity will be coordinated.

"We expect further progress in EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, as well as with Montenegro and Albania. Lithuania will seek to create the conditions necessary to begin preparations for accession treaties with Ukraine and Moldova," the President said.

During the meeting, the President also stressed that Lithuania attaches particular importance to issues of historical memory, emphasizing that preserving Europe's historical memory requires a united effort, especially today.

"Soviet and Nazi crimes must be acknowledged, internationally assessed, and made widely known. Europe must learn from history, especially as Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine-accompanied by disinformation and historical revisionism-demonstrates that impunity only encourages further crimes," Gitanas Nausėda underlined.

The Lithuanian leader also spoke about Lithuania's initiative to build a memorial in Brussels dedicated to all victims of 20th-century totalitarian regimes. According to the President, the memorial would serve as a symbol of Europe's collective memory of its complex past. Support for the initiative is currently being mobilized among EU member states and institutions, and Gitanas Nausėda invited Romania to join the effort.