Nausėda says defence minister apologized properly over staff party

President Gitanas Nausėda said Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas had properly apologized for a party held for Ministry of National Defence employees and expressed hope he would not repeat the mistake, LRT reported.

Nausėda said he met Kaunas on Thursday morning and heard more about the event. The president told reporters in Karmėlava that holding it was “neither the right time nor the right place” and said the minister was responsible for ensuring defence funds were used economically, efficiently and purposefully.

“He apologized publicly, and he did so in the right way. I very much hope that, having made this mistake, he will not make another one,” Nausėda said.

Asked about the event on Thursday, Kaunas declined to comment further, saying the matter was closed and that he had already apologized and answered questions.

The party, which cost nearly 48,000 euros, prompted public criticism. Kaunas apologized earlier this week and promised to establish a new system for motivating staff and strengthening the ministry community. He said he had agreed with the head of the ministry’s trade union to develop a clear and transparent system that would be understandable to all employees.

Media reports last week said the ministry allocated nearly 45,000 euros for the event. When the reports first emerged, Kaunas said such events were common practice in organizations but promised to review the cost and the circumstances of its organization.