Address by Juozas Olekas, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session in Vilnius

Press release, 1 June 2026 (News ● Photos ● Broadcasts and videos)

Photo by Viktoriia Chorna, Office of Seimas

Mr President,

Madam Prime Minister,

Commissioner,

Excellences,

Dear Colleagues,

I am happy to greet you in the Hall of the Act of 11 March – historic place in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania where 36 years ago independence of Lithuania was restored. 

Pleased to welcome you not only as the Speaker of the Seimas, but as well as the former Minister of National Defence and former head of the Lithuanian delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly, recalling that time when Lithuania announced its desire to join NATO, went through dynamic accession and reforms process, and finally became member of the Alliance. 

It is great to see so many familiar faces and many new ones joining this important parliamentary format.

And I would like to emphasize – parliamentary.

Because role of parliaments is crucial in political assessment of security risks, building nation-wide understanding of strategic importance of deterrence and defence, and maintaining broad national consensus to support them across political parties and public. 

Approval by the Seimas of this year’s budget with 5.38 percent of the GDP for defence needs made Lithuania one of the leaders in the Alliance. It is a huge financial commitment, which echoes our common priorities for NATO Ankara Summit, where we want to see tangible progress towards the 5 percent defence investment target and fairer sharing of the financial burden between the Allies.

We all are facing similar challenges – how to balance state finances, to find resources for social policy priorities, education, healthcare, support sustainable economic growth and innovative sectors of economy, attract investments. 

Approval of budget with significantly increased defence spendings did not come easy but was necessary. As global norms are challenged and power politics return, we must respond strategically. Even by taking responsibility for the decisions which are not popular.

A unified perception among all Alliance members regarding the security situation, the threat, and the importance of deterrence, along with the necessary political decisions, are critical elements of the current security environment.

Next important item in the Seimas agenda – finalizations of the National Security Strategy, which will define even more clearly the directions for strengthening state security, responding to the changing situation and maintaining consensus across political parties on national security and defence priorities. 

First, we look for strengthening of our own defence capabilities and providing host nation support for allied forces to be present in Lithuania, including strong transatlantic bond. In this regard, sustainable defence financing is crucial. We will have to allocate about 5-6 percent of GDP until 2030 to be able to ensure implementation of two important steps for Lithuania in defence planning: deployment of the German brigade in 2027 and deployment of the national division level capabilities in 2030. 

In April, the Seimas passed the Law establishing the Kapčiamiestis military training ground located in strategically vital Suwalki Corridor and expanding Tauragė military training ground near Kaliningrad region of Russia.

Decision on sustainable defence financing includes as well long-term commitment to allocate at least 0.25 percent of GDP to Ukraine’s defence and security. 

Secondly, special attention will be given to promotion of defence industry and dual-use technology. Strengthening of industrial base in NATO countries is advancing, but pace remains decisive, especially for Europe. It is still fragmented and does not guarantee required speed of delivery and is concentrated in a few large Allies. 

We seek for more proportionality in geographical balance, attractive environment for investments and integration of small and medium-sized enterprises into production chains so that everyone can benefit economically. For Lithuania it is highly prioritized ecosystem backed by strong state support and future-focused military technologies. 

Thirdly, our deterrence is not only about military capabilities. Protection of essential systems of critical infrastructure – energy, water, transport, digital, finance – involves not only measures of physical protection, but as well ability to withstand and recover from cyber-attacks.

When it comes to transport interconnectivity, renovation of existing infrastructure and implementation of new projects, such as “Rail Baltica” high-speed railway line - alongside with the economic importance of these facilities, they should make possible rapid and fast track movement of military troops and equipment. 

Military mobility still is a huge challenge, including overcoming bureaucratic obstacles, harmonizing and simplifying border procedures.

 Europe did change since Russia’s full-scale military invasion in Ukraine. Returning to “business as usual” looks now hard to believe. In energy sector, Lithuania, much earlier than many other Allies, learned the lesson about the need of de-coupling from Russian gas and oil, creating alternative sources of energy supply and avoid situations when you can be easily blackmailed. 

For the last few years, we have faced constant and targeted hybrid threats. However, practice shows that our response is still partially reactive, not systematic. 

Hybrid attacks, including disinformation, are used for broader purposes - to influence domestic opinion and weaken trust in democratic institutions, divide society, make impact on political decisions and reduce support for foreign and security policy directions.

Essential part in responding to these threats is the implementation of a civil resistance strategy, where society does not passively observe hybrid attacks, but becomes part of the resilience - through education, critical thinking and active engagement. It is necessary to communicate in coordinated way when unified state voice strengthens citizens' understanding, rather than deepens information noise.

Dear Colleagues,

During upcoming Presidency of the European Union Council in the 1st half of 2027, Lithuania will place a strong emphasis on security, enlargement and reinforcing Europe’s unity, ensuring that the EU remains a credible, resilient and influential global actor capable of defending its interests and values. It is obvious that Europe must take on greater responsibility for its own security and become a militarily strong and equal partner. At the same time, European defence must strengthen NATO, not duplicate. 

NATO remains backbone of our security. Maintaining the US military presence in Europe is of critical importance, especially on NATO’s Eastern flank.

These are our main expectation from this year NATO Summit in Ankara. Lithuanian Seimas is ready, how much it depends on our efforts, to contribute to the success of it. 

Thank you.