Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary arrived in Lithuania on Wednesday for a state visit that will include meetings with the country’s political leaders, military volunteers and civic defence groups.
The January 28–29 visit is taking place at the invitation of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.
The visit’s official program begins Wednesday with a formal welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, followed by a private meeting between Nausėda and King Frederik and talks between the two countries’ delegations. The Danish monarch also met Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė later in the day.
Meanwhile, first lady Diana Nausėdienė and Queen Mary are to visit the Ukrainian Centre in Vilnius.
On Thursday, the Danish royal couple will take part in a business and science forum aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and promoting innovation. According to Lithuania’s Innovation Agency, cooperation between Lithuania and Denmark holds significant potential, reflected in growing trade volumes and strategically important projects, including the installation of Lithuanian laser systems in Greenland.
Later on Thursday, King Frederik is scheduled to meet Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas and lay flowers at Antakalnis Cemetery.
The state visit will conclude with a visit to a basketball academy and the opening of an exhibition on Denmark and Lithuania at the National Library in Vilnius.
Support for Denmark’s territorial integrity
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said Wednesday that security in the Arctic is a shared responsibility of all NATO allies, as he met with visiting Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
“Arctic security is a security issue for all NATO allies, so we must take joint responsibility for strengthening this region. Lithuania is ready to contribute,” Budrys said.
Relations between Europe and the United States within NATO were recently strained after US President Donald Trump threatened to take control of Greenland from Denmark, a proposal he appeared to walk back from.
Budrys emphasised Lithuania’s support for Denmark’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling those principles fundamental and non-negotiable under international law.
He has previously said Lithuania would consider participating in Arctic security initiatives only within a NATO framework.
Rasmussen arrived in Lithuania on Wednesday alongside Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary.
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