Press statement by President Costa following the meeting with President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda
Thank you, President Nausėda, dear Gitanas, for your warm welcome here in Vilnius.
It is a pleasure to be here on the second day of my tour of European capitals. I truly appreciate the opportunity to hear from you directly and in person ahead of a busy autumn.
It is very important for me to engage directly with all the European leaders to properly prepare the upcoming meetings of the European Council. And it is especially timely as Lithuania is preparing to take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union in January 2027. And I’m very glad to see how well your preparations are going and how your priorities are completely and fully aligned with European strategic priorities.
As you said, the decisive challenge we need to tackle together this autumn is our next long-term European budget for the period 2028 – 2034. To ensure that there is no interruption in the European Union funding for farmers, our businesses, our students, and other recipients in 2028, we need to reach an agreement by the end of this year.
The next budget must reflect the demands of the challenging times we live in – and must have competitiveness, industrial transformation, defence, security, and strategic resilience at its heart. Of course, the new budget must also continue to support the cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy, as they are the pillars of regional development and shared prosperity on our continent.
To find this balance between traditional priorities and responding to new challenges, the structure and headings of the budget will look completely different to previous budgets. All this, we must finance within the limits of finite resources. That is why a balanced and ambitious package of so-called new own resources, the new revenue streams for the European Union, will be an essential part of an overall agreement.
I am confident that we will find the right solution for our Union, for our citizens and our future, because it is our common responsibility to do so. In that context, I want to thank you, dear Gitanas, for Lithuania’s constructive approach to this debate.
I would also like to thank you, for the powerful example set by Lithuania through its steadfast and outspoken support for Ukraine, including vital military assistance. Thanks to the courage of the Ukrainian armed forces, the tide is turning on the battlefield. And we will continue to increase the pressure until Russia comes in good faith to the negotiating table.
When speaking about Europe’s security, we cannot forget enlargement. Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans are progressing on their paths towards the European Union, and it’s the best investment we can make in the future peace, security and stability of our continent. I appreciate Lithuania’s constructive efforts in this context, and the fact that Lithuania has identified enlargement as one of the main priorities of your presidency.
Dear Gitanas, your geography makes Lithuania a real expert in dealing with security challenges of the European Union’s Eastern flank and the Baltic Sea region. Hybrid threats and drone incursions show how important it is to be prepared, including in the areas of air defence and border protection. These complex threats require coordinated action at the European Union level. That’s why we are strengthening our defence and security capabilities so that Europe can deter adversaries and respond to any aggression.
Gitanas, your geography also exposes you to the instrumentalisation of migration. This is totally unacceptable. It is unacceptable wherever it takes place on the European Union’s external borders – whether in Ceuta, or in the Baltic region. This is a common European challenge that requires a joint European response in support of affected member states. A safe and strong Europe is built on our unity. And as a union of nations, unity among the 27 member states can only be built on the basis of all national positions.
Starting in January, Lithuania will play a decisive role in creating and shaping European unity, as Council presidency. That is why today we also discussed the preparations of this presidency. I came away from our discussions even more convinced that I will be able to count – and Europe can count – on Lithuania’s drive, professionalism and European commitment.
And finally dear Gitanas, you can also count on me to make the future Lithuanian presidency a success. Once again thank you for welcoming me here in beautiful Vilnius.
