Nausėda: Lithuania supports a more ambitious EU budget and is ready to increase its contribution

Lithuania is pushing for a more robust European Union budget for the 2028-2034 period, supporting the European Commission's proposal of nearly 2 trillion euros. President Gitanas Nausėda emphasized that the current financial perspective does not adequately reflect the bloc's numerous priorities.

Nausėda highlighted defense and security, including military mobility, as critical areas requiring greater funding. He indicated that Lithuania is willing to increase its own financial contribution to the EU budget to support these ambitions. The country is open to discussing proposals regarding own resources, even if not entirely enthusiastic about them, suggesting a willingness to compromise for a larger overall budget.

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We advocate for an ambitious budget, a budget that was proposed by the European Commission, which amounted to almost 2 trillion euros, because we really have quite a few priorities set and some of those priorities were not sufficiently reflected in this financial perspective.

Discussions on the EU's long-term budget are ongoing, with President Nausėda participating in a European Council meeting that addresses support for Ukraine, competitiveness, defense, and security. The European Commission presented its 2 trillion euro budget proposal last July.

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Lithuania is prepared to contribute a larger share, (...) increase its contribution to the EU budget. We are open to discussing the own resources proposals that have been submitted – we are not thrilled by them, but nevertheless, if a compromise were to be sought and a choice made, a larger budget, but nevertheless (some) own resource formulas that are proposed, we would likely be inclined to agree.