Lithuanian, Belgian leaders address security threats, cooperation

Christine Defraigne, speaker of the Belgian Senate, discussed bilateral relations and geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe with top Lithuanian officials on Thursday.

The leaders also discussed the threats of international terrorism and priorities for the upcoming NATO's summit in Warsaw later this year.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite emphasized the country's neighborhood remains unpredictable.

"The NATO summit in Warsaw needs to make firm decisions not only to counter the existing threats but also to deter new ones," said Grybauskaite.

The president stressed Belgium's commitment to strengthening Lithuania's security. Belgium has been the first NATO country to guard the airspace over Baltic states in 2004.

Lithuania, a small Baltic country, has increased its defense spending and strengthened defense capabilities amid conflict in Eastern Ukraine.

Discussions also focused on the migration crisis in Europe. Grybauskaite said protection of the EU's external borders remains a key task.

"Therefore, it is necessary to set up without delay a European Border and Coast Guard to ensure the security of EU citizens and the Schengen area," stressed the president.

Loreta Grauziniene, the speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, said migration should not distract from the crisis in Ukraine and the issues of the Eastern partnership program.

In meetings with Defraigne, Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius called for closer economic cooperation between both countries and invited Belgian companies to invest in Lithuania.

"I believe that plans to open the Flanders Investment & Trade agency (FIT) office in Lithuania will open new opportunities for businesses in both countries," Butkevicius was quoted as saying.

According to government data, Belgium is among the 20 biggest foreign investors in Lithuania with total foreign direct investment of 125.54 million euros (136.2 million U.S. dollars). Endit