Dear President Nausėda, dear Gitanas,
Thank you for hosting us here in Vilnius.
Dear Presidents, what a pleasure to be here with you. Today marks a historic moment as we connect the Baltic states to the European electricity grid. Disconnecting from Russia and Belarus signals a move towards energy independence and freedom from geopolitical threats. Long before the conflict in Ukraine, you foresaw the hidden costs of Russian energy dependence. Now, Europe is collectively moving away from Russian fossil fuels, marking a new era.
We must address not only economic but also continental security. Recent damage to infrastructure highlights ongoing challenges, underscoring the need for initiatives like NATOs Baltic Sentry. Collaboration between Europe and NATO is crucial for protecting our network infrastructure, focusing on prevention, detection, rapid response, and deterrence.
Its imperative that Europe strengthens its defence capabilities independently. Countries like Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland set an example by prioritizing defence spending. While NATO is foundational, an EU-wide defence strategy is essential, requiring cooperation, funding, and innovation. The Commission will soon present a White Paper on European defence.
In a rapidly changing global landscape, Europe is committed to dialogue with the US and other partners. Support for Ukraine remains critical. Europe has pledged EUR 135 billion in aid, offering Ukraine vital support as it defends itself and rebuilds its energy infrastructure, with Baltic nations leading by example.
Congratulations on this milestone in energy independence. Long live Europe. Thank you.