2024-04-16 09:49:40
“I presented the priorities. There are new highlights, I don’t want to go into detail, it will be presented in more detail on Wednesday, because I really respect the opposition that is coming back and I want them to hear it too. But in those proposals and priorities, there is more emphasis on strengthening air defense in Lithuania,” L. Kasčiūnas told journalists on Monday after the meeting of the coalition council.
However, the minister assures that this will not be done at the expense of the tanks planned to be purchased by Lithuania.
“What I will present is a certain balance between division aggravation and division enablers, which are air defense systems – we are talking about the development of medium-range air defense,” assured L. Kasčiūnas.
In her turn, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė assures that after the minister presents new priorities, the need for funding remains the same.
“The Minister of National Defense presented a little bit, on Wednesday he will present his approach regarding the funding of priorities in more detail. As a result, I would say that the need for funding does not change very much,” I. Šimonytė told reporters.
“Like last time, we said that there are certainly good reasons why the financing of national defense should increase from 2.5 to 3 percent. GDP. After reviewing those priorities, not much changes from that point of view, just different priorities of the minister, as he thinks it would be wisest to invest in the near term,” she added.
Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, the head of the Liberal Movement at the time, stated that the arguments of L. Kasčiūnas were convincing.
“What was discussed today really sounds logical and I think there will be more clarity now,” said V. Čmilytė-Nielsen.
According to her, these arguments can help convince the opposition on Wednesday.
“It would be very important that we agree on the most concrete steps possible, and I believe that the plan prepared by the minister could be useful,” said the Speaker of the Seimas.
The “liberals” also supported the minister’s proposals. The leader of the party, Aušrinė Armonaitė, assured that the position of the political force she leads has always been to seek to include more modern technologies in defense.
“We see that our position to include more modern technologies in defense has been heard. That direction is good,” she said.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister I. Šimonytė invites representatives of political parties and businesses to participate in the third meeting regarding the increase of Lithuanian defense funding.
Representatives of political parties, business and the Association of Lithuanian Municipalities were invited to the meeting.
2024-04-16 09:49:40