Minister V. Kondratovičius: Frontex Must Be Strengthened to Meet Next-Generation Threats
Minister of the Interior Vladislavas Kondratovičius met with Hans Leijtens, Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). The meeting focused on the protection of the European Union’s external borders, efforts to counter hybrid threats, the future role of Frontex, and preparations for Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027.
“Today’s threats go far beyond traditional border security. The instrumentalization of migration, drones, balloons, and other hybrid tactics require a stronger European response. Frontex must therefore become an even more capable, agile, and modern agency,” the Minister of the Interior said.
Particular attention was given to hybrid threats, which in recent years have become one of the European Union’s most significant security challenges. According to Minister V. Kondratovičius, such threats place pressure on external borders, test the unity of EU Member States, and seek to exploit migration systems for political purposes.
Lithuania stresses that Frontex should be given greater capacity and flexibility to act and to support Member States in strengthening their resilience.
Discussing preparations for Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027, the Minister of the Interior noted that the revision of the Frontex Regulation is likely to become one of the key items on Lithuania’s presidency agenda.
The meeting also addressed the security situation along the Lithuania–Belarus border. Although the situation currently remains stable, Lithuania continues to maintain a high level of vigilance in response to the ongoing instrumentalization of migration and other hybrid activities.
Since 2021, Lithuanian border officers have prevented nearly 25,000 attempts to cross the border illegally. In recent years, new forms of hybrid activity have also emerged. Since 2024, there has been a significant increase in the smuggling of cigarettes from Belarus using balloons. While only three such cases were recorded in 2023, authorities identified 226 incidents in 2024 and 635 in 2025. More than one hundred incidents have already been registered this year.
Minister V. Kondratovičius thanked Frontex for its consistent support to Lithuania and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to close cooperation in strengthening the protection of the European Union’s external borders.
Last updated: 04-06-2026
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