As Lithuania prepares for its second Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027, the IIEA is delighted to welcome Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, for a discussion on the country’s priorities and ambitions at a pivotal moment for Europe. Taking over from Ireland as part of the Ireland-Lithuania-Greece Trio Presidency, Lithuania will help guide the Council’s work against a backdrop of significant geopolitical change. This conversation will explore Lithuania’s outlook on the future of Europe and the challenges and opportunities facing the EU in the years ahead. 

Kęstutis Budrys has served as the Chief National Security Adviser to the President of the Republic of Lithuania and Head of the National Security Group. He has also served as Secretary of the State Defence Council and Chairman of the Intelligence Coordination Group. In December 2024, he assumed the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.  

Mr Budrys has more than 20 years of experience in national security. He served for six years as Deputy Director of the State Security Department, Lithuania’s civilian intelligence and security service. In this position, he was responsible for technological intelligence disciplines, intelligence analysis, and threat prevention. From 2009 to 2015, Mr Budrys was Adviser to the President of the Republic of Lithuania on intelligence and defence policy. Prior to 2009, he held senior positions in the field of intelligence analysis.  

Mr Budrys studied at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University, where he earned a BA in Political Science and an MA in International Relations. He has also completed academic internships at universities in the United States and Canada.