European Interest

Lithuania’s FM Landsbergis: “The EU must be prepared to protect its external borders properly”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On 3 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis met with Hans Leijtens, the new Executive Director of the European Border and Coastguard Agency – Frontex.

The meeting focused on Frontex’s possible involvement in managing irregular migration flows at the EU-Belarus border, its role in ensuring proper implementation of sanctions against Russia and issues of support for Ukraine and its neighbouring countries.

When thanking Frontex for its significant contribution to protecting EU external borders, the Foreign Minister pointed out that although the situation at the border was under control, the hybrid attack on European borders had yet to end.

On 3 April, the Executive Director of Frontex also met with Agnė Bilotaitė, Minister of the Interior of Lithuania. In addition, Leijtens visited the Lithuanian-Belarusian state border and got acquainted with the new surveillance system and physical barrier.

It is Hans Leijtens’ first visit to Lithuania since his appointment as the Executive Director on 1 March 2023.

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