Meeting of the Security and Defence Committee to be held in Panevėžys

On 18–19 September 2025, the meeting of the Security and Defence Committee will be held in Panevėžys, Lithuania. The meeting will bring together parliamentarians and experts from the Baltic States to discuss common defence goals within the region. 

Growing strong together: promoting cooperation of the military industry in the Baltic States

Chaired by Uģis Rotbergs, Chair of the Security and Defence Committee, the first session of the meeting will explore how the Baltic States can strengthen their military industry through deeper cooperation. It will begin with an update on the current state of the defence industry in the region, followed by discussions on the strategic benefits of coordinated defence manufacturing. Additionally, an introductory report regarding defence cooperation will be provided by Roberts Kits, researcher at the Latvian Strategy and Economic Research Institute (LaSER).

Advancing regional defence in the Baltic States through a common defence area

The second session of the meeting, also chaired by Uģis Rotbergs, will focus on advancing regional defence in the Baltic States through the establishment of a common defence area. Key topics will include recent developments in creating this framework, enhancing interoperability of military equipment and building shared defence capabilities and infrastructure Additionally, Māris Andžāns, Director of the Center for Geopolitical Studies, will provide an introductory report on the conclusions of the military cooperation of the Baltic States, based on the book “Three Decades of Baltic Military Cooperation and the Way Ahead.”

During the meeting, parliamentarians and experts will also visit the Air Base of the Lithuanian Air Force in Šiauliai, where a brief introduction of their work, as well as aircraft inspection, will take place. 

Programme of the meeting here.