Preparations for the NATO Summit in Vilnius discussed in Budapest
On 17 May, Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Egidijus Meilūnas met in Budapest with State Secretary for Security Policy Péter Sztáray of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Minister Tamás Vargha of the Hungarian Ministry of Defence, and the Prime Minister's Adviser, János Bóka, State Secretary for EU Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, and Valér Palkovits, Deputy Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of the Republic, discussed preparations for the NATO Summit in Vilnius, regional security issues, further support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, the enlargement of the European Union, cooperation with the Indo-Pacific region, and bilateral cooperation issues.
"We want the NATO Summit to take decisions on strengthening the Alliance's eastern flank, further support for Ukraine and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We hope that Sweden's accession procedures to NATO will be finalised in the near future, as Sweden's membership in the Alliance is crucial for enhancing the security of the Baltic Sea region," Vice-Minister Meilūnas stressed during the meetings.
The Hungarian representatives informed that Hungary plans to resume the NATO Air Policing Mission in Lithuania in 2025.
