Lithuania strengthens security measures amid Paris attacks

Responding to attacks in French capital, Lithuanian leaders expressed on Saturday the need to strengthen security by the European Union's external borders, the country has also taken additional security measures.

Dalia Grybauskaite, Lithuanian president, expressed her condolences to France and solidarity with the country and said European community should not allow itself being intimidated.

"International community has to find the most effective way to defend terrorism," said Grybauskaite in her broadcasted statement.

To express solidarity, Lithuanian president said she will attend events in France. On Monday Grybauskaite will travel to Paris to attend the Leaders' Forum of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which celebrates its 70th anniversary.

However, Grynauskaite emphasized there is no increased terrorist attack threat in Lithuania.

"All institutions are taking necessary actions to ensure addition security in Lithuania," said Lithuanian president.

Algirdas Butkevicius, the head of Lithuanian government, said that responsible EU institutions need to be addressed in order strengthen security by the European Union's external borders.

Lithuania, a small Baltic State, is the EU's Eastern border country.

Butkevicius on Saturday morning held a meeting with Saulius Skvernelis, the interior minister, to discuss additional security measures.

"An order to strengthen the security by the external borders has been given," Butkevicius told Lithuanian National Radio LRT.

According to the PM, authorities will pay more attention to massive events happening these days.

"We're responding seriously, but there's no reason for panic," Skvernelis told news website 15min.lt after the meeting.

Lithuania's diplomats in Paris told local media that there is no news whether any Lithuanians have been killed or injured during simultaneous attacks late Friday which killed at least 128 people and injured more than 200. Endit