Lithuania will prioritize the expansion of the European Union upon assuming the presidency of the Council of the European Union, starting from January 1, 2027. The statement was made in Vilnius by the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, during a joint press conference with his Moldovan counterpart, Mihai Popsoi, reports IPN.

At the same time, Mihai Popsoi stated that the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the EU by 2030 is a realistic objective and that the actual negotiations could be concluded in a year or two, after which the ratification process in the member states will follow.

The head of Moldovan diplomacy appreciated the support offered by Lithuania for the modernization of the security and defense sector of the Republic of Moldova. The Minister stated that Moldova is also interested in attracting more Lithuanian investments and expanding bilateral economic cooperation.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also noted the intensity of political relations between Chisinau and Vilnius, as well as the contacts between local authorities and the communities of the two countries. According to Mihai Popsoi, Lithuania has played an important role in strengthening the resilience of the Republic of Moldova, both in the field of security and defense, and in terms of hybrid threats and economic and social resilience.

In turn, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania stated that bilateral relations are strong, including in the economic field, and that there are opportunities for expanding trade and investment. At the same time, among the areas with potential, he mentioned the defense industry and dual-use technologies.

Kęstutis Budrys highlighted the cooperation between the security and defense institutions of the two countries. According to the official, Lithuania has participated in several projects in the Republic of Moldova, and the two states have cooperated intensely, including during the period when Russia’s actions against Moldova intensified.