Europe Must Prepare for Migration Crises, Says Lithuanian Foreign Minister

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has asserted that Europe must bolster its preparedness for migration crises, drawing parallels with the recent events in Spain's Ceuta enclave. He indicated that a joint letter signed by leaders from ten European nations, calling for an urgent and coordinated EU response, was a natural reaction to a problem affecting the entire continent.

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The issue is very sensitive for all of Europe. And the way it has politically traveled through all the capitals, and how it was received in Lithuania, is completely natural.

Landsbergis stressed that the issue of migration is highly sensitive across Europe, and its political resonance in various capitals, including Vilnius, is entirely understandable. He pointed to past migration-related crises within the EU that have contributed to political instability in some member states, underscoring the shared interest in preventing similar situations from recurring.

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Lithuania has a lot of good experience, having faced instrumentalized migration and other types of threats and having dealt with them successfully. We know what the critical points are. One of them is that borders must be protected.

Drawing on Lithuania's own experience with instrumentalized migration and other threats, Landsbergis stated that the country has successfully managed such challenges and understands the critical importance of border security. He also voiced criticism of certain court rulings, which he believes were misinterpreted and may have fostered unrealistic expectations among migrants, suggesting that Europe was opening its doors to anyone reaching a specific point.

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A court decision, which in some individual cases was interpreted completely incorrectly – I saw it myself – contrary to what the Supreme Court of Spain had decided. And this created expectations that Europe is opening up to all migrants and they just need to reach a specific point.

Regarding potential measures, Landsbergis acknowledged that while Lithuania prioritizes the preservation of free movement within the Schengen Area, temporary restrictions might be considered if security cannot be guaranteed. He noted that Lithuania itself faces pressure from secondary migration and that all possible tools must be evaluated, though not necessarily implemented immediately. He concluded by dismissing any direct link between Spain's position on defense commitments and Lithuania's participation in the joint statement on migration.

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We want to preserve the Schengen Area as one of the great advantages of the EU – that is the free movement of people.