Minister M. Katelynas: There Can Be No Secure Europe Without a Strong External Border
Minister of the Interior Martynas Katelynas participated remotely in an informal meeting of European Union interior ministers to discuss the situation in the Spanish city of Ceuta.
“Without a strong external border, there can be no secure European Union. We cannot afford to simply react to crises after they emerge, otherwise irregular migration may become unmanageable. We must act proactively by strengthening the protection of our external borders, preventing irregular migration, and combating migrant smuggling and disinformation,” said Minister M. Katelynas.
Lithuania welcomed the swift and effective actions taken by the Spanish authorities to restore control of the situation in Ceuta.
“We know all too well what organised pressure at the European Union’s external borders looks like. Migration is increasingly being used as a tool of hybrid attacks aimed at testing our resilience and creating divisions within the European Union. Our response must therefore be united, determined and send a clear message that the EU’s external borders are not our weak spot,” the Minister of the Interior said.
Minister M. Katelynas emphasized that Lithuania stands ready to share the experience it has gained in addressing the instrumentalisation of migration at the EU’s eastern external border and to contribute to common European solutions.
According to the Minister of the Interior, close cooperation with third countries remains essential. These countries must take responsibility for preventing irregular migration flows and ensuring the readmission of their own nationals. To achieve these objectives, the European Union should consistently make use of all available political and economic instruments.
Lithuania also calls on the European Union to adapt its legal and policy framework to today’s security realities. This requires strengthening the capacities of EU agencies, particularly Frontex and Europol, developing a shared understanding of hybrid threats across the Union, aligning funding priorities accordingly, and enhancing Europe’s ability to counter disinformation, propaganda and foreign information manipulation.
Photo: Robertas Riabovas / BNS News Agency
Last updated: 06-08-2026
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