Sinkevičius to meet Merz as Lithuania and Germany deepen ties

Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius will meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other senior officials in Berlin on October 5 and 6 to discuss closer cooperation, particularly on security, defence and the economy, LRT reported.

He is also due to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

A key topic will be Germany’s planned deployment of a brigade to Lithuania. Under an agreement between the two countries, Germany plans to station a brigade of about 5,000 troops in Lithuania by the end of 2027. The deployment is described as one of the main measures to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.

The leaders will also discuss European security, support for Ukraine, bilateral relations and current issues on the European agenda. Sinkevičius said the countries’ cooperation in security and defence strengthens NATO’s eastern flank and its defence capabilities.

Since taking office, Sinkevičius has visited Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine and Brussels for meetings with political leaders. His government was formed after the Seimas approved its programme in July.