Lithuania and Ukraine sign a cooperation agreement on defence industry development
Minister of the Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė and Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas signed a quadripartite cooperation agreement between Lithuania and Ukraine on the development of the defence industry. The parties undertake to work together to implement and support Ukrainian and Lithuanian companies’ arms and ammunition production projects and other planned defence industry projects.
“This is good for mutual security and for Ukraine’s quicker victory over the aggressor. It is also a signal that we are ready not only to provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons, but also to help it integrate its defence industry into the defence and security systems of NATO and the European Union. I have no doubt that together we are creating more opportunities for Lithuania, Ukraine, and Europe as a whole,” said Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
The agreement was also signed by Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine, and Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine.
“I have just returned from Ukraine with the signed agreement. I have repeatedly said that we cannot tie Ukraine’s hands — we must give it as many tools as possible to fight confidently for its independence. By that I mean that if the allies are still questioning the rights and limits of the use of the weapons they supply, we need to think creatively and help Ukrainians to make their own weapons. This is one of the areas of cooperation that we are developing. So this document is proof of our consistent policy that we will continue to support Ukraine and stand together until victory,” said Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Minister of National Defence.
The areas of cooperation envisaged in the agreement include the production of unmanned aerial vehicles, ground and naval systems, electronic warfare and other technological defence solutions in Ukraine and Lithuania, as well as the development of production capacity and capability in both countries for ammunition and key components, including explosives and projectiles.
The agreement also provides for joint innovative solutions to ensure technological superiority and to initiate research and development projects in the defence industry.
Lithuania is committed to ensuring that Ukraine has a right of priority for the purchase of defence products, components, and materials. Our country will also help find sources of financing to invest in joint projects and finance the acquisition of manufactured products for Ukraine’s defence industry, security and defence forces.
The establishment of a Management Board, composed of representatives of both parties and other governmental stakeholders, is also foreseen in the near future.
In order to ensure cooperation between Lithuania and Ukraine in the field of security and defence industry, in October the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation signed a Letter of Intent with a Ukrainian company on cooperation in the construction of a new-generation RDX explosives plant in Lithuania. This would strengthen the defence capabilities of Ukraine, Lithuania, and Europe.
In addition, this year EIMIN initiated legislative changes to allow defence industry projects in Lithuania to start within the shortest possible timeframe. Thanks to the simplified procedures resulting from the legislative changes, the construction of this plant in Lithuania could start as early as next year.
Last updated: 07-11-2024
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