Vilnius: Lithuania's foreign minister has urged the European Union to expedite its defense partnerships, including with Trkiye, to effectively tackle emerging security threats. Speaking to Anadolu, Kestutis Budrys emphasized that while Europe has increased military expenditure, it still faces challenges in industrial capacity, speed, and coordination for a sustainable deterrence strategy amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict and other threats.

According to Anadolu Agency, Budrys highlighted the need for collaboration with NATO allies such as the UK, Norway, and Trkiye on defense matters and the defense industry. Lithuania, a proactive EU and NATO member since 2004, plans to allocate 5.4% of its GDP to defense next year, one of the alliance's highest levels.

Budrys, with a background in intelligence, acknowledged Europe's progress in recent years but stressed that budget increases alone will not bridge the capability gap. He advocated for faster weapons procurement, streamlined supply chains, and expanded industrial cooperation, emphasizing that these goals require international collaboration. He underlined the importance of deepening ties with NATO members, including the US and Trkiye, to achieve these objectives.

The EU's new initiatives, such as the Security Action for Europe (SAFE), aim to bolster defense readiness with significant investments in industrial capacity. Budrys supports including Trkiye and its defense firms in these initiatives, advocating for inclusivity in the SAFE program and highlighting Trkiye as a crucial ally in defense planning.

Trkiye's interest in joining these programs has received support from major EU states, though progress has been hindered by objections from Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration. Budrys clarified that the EU's defense efforts are intended to complement, not replace, NATO. He stressed that Europe's increased role aligns with the expectations of its American allies.

Budrys also praised Trkiye's contribution to NATO's deterrence efforts, particularly in securing Baltic airspace through the deployment of an AWACS radar aircraft. He noted the effectiveness of NATO's increased presence in deterring incidents, citing a significant drop in drone-related events during Trkiye's deployment in the Baltic states.