Lithuanian and Albanian leaders have reaffirmed their support for European Union enlargement and closer bilateral cooperation during a series of high-level meetings held in Tirana and Vilnius on Thursday.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda met Albanian President Bajram Begaj in the Albanian capital, where the two leaders discussed Lithuania's forthcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027, EU enlargement and broader regional security issues.
According to the Lithuanian president's office, Nausėda said Lithuania would use its presidency to promote European unity, resilience and the bloc's ability to defend its interests and values.
"We will strive for the EU to remain a strong pillar of the rules-based international order, effectively addressing long-term geopolitical, demographic and economic challenges while strengthening citizens' trust in the European project," he said.
Nausėda identified strengthening European security and defence, continued support for Ukraine and advancing EU enlargement as the main priorities of Lithuania's presidency.
He described the expansion of the bloc into the Western Balkans as a strategic necessity for Europe's long-term security, stability and prosperity, and praised Albania's progress towards membership.
"We welcome Albania's significant progress in the EU integration process. This is a clear signal to other candidate countries that consistent reforms yield results," he said, encouraging Tirana to continue implementing reforms and strengthening administrative capacity.
The Lithuanian president also highlighted the importance of protecting the EU's external borders, particularly in the context of tackling irregular migration, and stressed the need to boost European competitiveness through innovation, technological development, sustainability and economic resilience.
During his visit, Nausėda also met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to discuss economic cooperation, investment, security and defence matters, NATO collaboration and continued support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile in Vilnius, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė met Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi, with discussions focusing on EU enlargement, security and bilateral relations.
Ruginienė said enlargement would be among the key priorities of Lithuania's EU Council presidency and reiterated Lithuania's support for Albania's membership ambitions.
"There is no doubt that the accession of Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkan countries to the EU would provide more security, stability and prosperity for both new and old member states – for all of Europe," she said.
Albania and Montenegro are widely regarded as among the most advanced candidates for EU membership. Croatia remains the bloc's most recent member state, having joined in 2013.
The Lithuanian prime minister also thanked Albania for its contribution to Baltic security, noting that Albanian troops are deployed as part of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in Latvia.
The two leaders discussed regional security and the need to strengthen NATO's deterrence and collective defence capabilities. Ruginienė said allied countries should increase defence spending in response to current security challenges.
She also emphasised the importance of maintaining support for Ukraine and continuing pressure on Russia, describing both as essential to achieving a lasting and just peace in Europe.
Nausėda is continuing a tour of the Balkans this week. After visits to Slovenia and Albania, he is due to travel to Montenegro to attend the European Union–Western Balkans summit.
