On Friday, President Gitanas Nausėda participated in the European Council meeting dedicated to discussing the negotiating box for the new EU multiannual financial framework (MFF).

The President stressed that Lithuania consistently advocates for a larger EU budget capable of financing new priorities, including security and defense, competitiveness, and support for Ukraine, while maintaining strong focus on cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy.

He noted that, in pursuit of a more ambitious EU budget, Lithuania is prepared to discuss proposals for new own resources put forward by the European Commission and the European Parliament. However, any increase in Lithuania's contribution to the EU budget has to be accompanied by adequate funding for traditional policies, such as cohesion and the Common Agricultural Policy, as well as for key priorities including defense and security, military mobility, and infrastructure development.

The President also emphasized that the MFF negotiating box should pay particular attention to the EU's eastern border regions and the challenges posed by hybrid threats. "EU eastern border regions face additional economic, social, and security challenges," Gitanas Nausėda underlined.

According to the President, the EU must be prepared to respond effectively to the actions of aggressor states and strengthen the Union's economic and social resilience.

President Gitanas Nausėda called for enhanced EU defense readiness initiatives in response to the growing number of EU airspace violations, with particular emphasis on the swift implementation of the EU Eastern Flank Watch initiative.

The President welcomed targeted efforts to strengthen the EU's competitiveness and stressed that their success will depend on four key factors: the effective functioning of the single market, access to financing for businesses, industrial resilience, and affordable energy prices.

Addressing the global challenges facing the EU economy, the Head of State called for more effective use of existing EU trade protection instruments and the development of new ones. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening partnership with the United States and other like-minded countries, diversifying supply chains in strategic sectors such as defense and semiconductors, and reinforcing Europe's industry.