Czech, Lithuanian PMs discus strengthening defense capabilities

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte discussed issues related to the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, including the prospects for expanding cooperation between their countries' defense industries, during talks held on Tuesday in Brno, Czech Republic, Report informs via TASS.

“We talked about the possibility of strengthening cooperation in the defense industry. We understand the need to invest more in defense. We are open to discussion about increasing defense spending at the NATO summit in Vilnius,” the press service of the Czech government quoted Fiala as saying.

“We also talked about strategic issues, geopolitical issues, and how to help Ukraine at the European level. We also considered the situation in Belarus, which is not at all simple. We, the Czech Republic and Lithuania, can jointly help shape the policy of the European Union and NATO. It is very important that the NATO summit will be held in Vilnius. This is an important signal and symbol that NATO understands the threat it is facing. The North Atlantic Alliance is ready to strengthen its eastern wing and do everything to ensure the security of each of its member states.”

The Czech Republic welcomes the discussion in the North Atlantic Alliance on relations with China, Fiala said. The republic expects that Sweden will soon join the bloc.