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Lithuanian minister sees defense spending to exceed 2 pct of GDP

Xinhua, December 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

Lithuania's new Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis thought the country's defense spending will exceed 2 percent of GDP, reaching 2.2-2.3 percent, local media reported on Wednesday.

"It seems we will have to exceed and we will exceed those 2 percent," Karoblis said in an interview with local news website vz published on Wednesday.

According to Karoblis, security situation "hasn't been improving."

Lithuania has been increasing its defense capabilities and asking for allied military presence since 2014.

"Thus, we must pay proper attention to ensure security. Not only proper attention, but relevant financial resources as well," said Karoblis.

He took Lithuania's neighbors as an example. According to Karoblis, Estonia already allocates 2.2 percent of GDP to defense.

This year, Lithuania has increased its defense spending to 1.5 percent of GDP, or 575 million euros (599 million U.S. dollars), still short of NATO target of 2 percent of GDP. Earlier, the country has pledged to increase defense spending up to 2.0 percent of GDP by 2018.

Karoblis started his work as defense minister earlier this month, when the country's new government took office. Endit