Minister M. Katelynas Meets with U.S. Ambassador K. C. McDonald
Minister of the Interior Martynas Katelynas met with the United States Ambassador to Lithuania, Kara C. McDonald. Their meeting focused on Lithuania–U.S. cooperation in the field of internal security, the priorities of Lithuania's twenty-first Government, and key security challenges, including border protection, migration management, strengthening resilience to hybrid threats and civil protection.
"The United States is our closest strategic ally and an indispensable partner. For many years, Lithuania–U.S. cooperation in the field of internal security has been built on trust, practical solutions and a shared understanding that security begins not only with strong defence, but also with effective protection of external borders, sound migration management, resilience to hybrid threats and well-prepared institutions. I am grateful to the U.S. Government and the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania for their consistent expert and material support. I am confident that by further strengthening this partnership, we will continue to contribute to the security of Lithuania, the entire Baltic region and NATO's eastern flank," Minister M. Katelynas said.
During the meeting, the Minister of the Interior presented to the Ambassador the main priorities of Lithuania's twenty-first Government in the field of home affairs. One of the Government's key objectives is to further strengthen the protection of Lithuania's external border with Belarus by modernising border surveillance systems and enhancing the operational capabilities of the State Border Guard Service. The Government also aims to improve migration management, strengthen efforts to combat migrant smuggling and prevent abuse of the asylum system.
The meeting also placed strong emphasis on strengthening national resilience. Discussions focused on improving preparedness for hybrid threats, protecting critical infrastructure, enhancing institutional crisis preparedness and expanding secure information exchange with strategic partners.
Minister M. Katelynas stressed that close cooperation between Lithuanian and U.S. law enforcement and internal security authorities remains one of the key factors in combating organised crime, cyber threats and other cross-border security challenges.
Continued support for Ukraine was another important topic of the meeting. Minister M. Katelynas emphasised that Ukraine's security is inseparable from the security of Lithuania and Europe as a whole. He reaffirmed that Lithuania's home affairs system will continue to provide practical assistance to Ukrainian institutions and strengthen cooperation with international partners.