Minister Kondratovič attends the Informal Council of EU Home Affairs Ministers in Warsaw
At the informal meeting of the European Union (EU) Ministers of the Interior held in Warsaw, Lithuania's Minister of the Interior, Vladislav Kondratovič, participated in discussions on migration management, strengthening civil protection, and the future EU internal security strategy.
Minister V. Kondratovič congratulated Poland on assuming the EU Council Presidency and expressed gratitude for its focus on crisis management and enhancing societal resilience at the EU level. He emphasized that the EU must conduct a comprehensive threat assessment and create a common security risk map to ensure a coordinated and effective response to potential threats.
"Without a shared understanding of threats, we cannot ensure an effective response. Therefore, we must enhance overall EU preparedness, invest in public awareness, and promote a culture of self-protection. It is also essential to establish a common early warning and information system with a single operational center to enable a swift response to crisis situations. Additionally, we must expand strategic cooperation with NATO to effectively counter shared security threats," said Minister of the Interior V. Kondratovič.
The minister pointed out that EU internal security threats are becoming increasingly complex and difficult to predict, necessitating a flexible and innovative new EU internal security strategy. He stressed that the EU must strengthen its capacity to identify and respond to hostile actions, including disinformation, critical infrastructure attacks, and cyber threats. In the field of cybersecurity, law enforcement capabilities should be enhanced, investments in new technologies increased, and cooperation with the private sector strengthened. The minister also highlighted that organized crime remains a serious issue and that EU agencies such as Europol and Frontex should be further reinforced to provide member states with more effective analytical, technological, and operational support.
Finally, the minister emphasized that effective external border protection is crucial for ensuring EU internal security. He thanked the European Commission for its financial support and reaffirmed Lithuania’s strong commitment to strengthening the EU's external border security.
Speaking on migration management, V. Kondratovič advocated for a strict and efficient policy on the return of illegal migrants. He also underscored the importance of preventing the misuse of asylum rights, particularly in light of the threats posed by the instrumentalization of migration. According to the minister, the EU must take a firm stance against hostile actors attempting to manipulate the EU asylum system and its values.
During his visit, Minister V. Kondratovič met with the Ministers of the Interior of Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Poland to discuss strengthening regional cooperation, preparedness for hybrid threats, and the security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. He also met with Denmark’s Minister for Immigration and Integration to discuss Denmark's upcoming presidency priorities, and with the ministers of Ireland and Greece to coordinate key tasks and future cooperation within the upcoming EU presidency trio, which includes Lithuania. Additionally, the minister met with European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, whom he invited for an official visit to Vilnius.