“I can only say that the process is still ongoing, the negotiations are still ongoing. Since the negotiations are still ongoing, I can’t really comment. (…) Our goal is a good result, not a quick result, because there are serious commitments and serious decisions here, and as much time will be needed to agree, that time will be allocated”, said I. Šimonytė in an interview with BNS on Wednesday. .
“If (the start of construction – BNS) is delayed by a month or two or something, that may also be the case, but it is more important to agree on a good project, because Lithuania, paying a lot of attention to this project, should not take on obligations that do not correspond to Lithuania’s interests.” – said the Prime Minister, answering the question whether the start of the construction of the 155 mm artillery ammunition factory might be delayed.
The land lease agreement with Rheinmetall was previously planned to be signed in July, and the factory construction to begin in October.
The Prime Minister did not specify specific dates when the negotiations with the German concern will be completed, but emphasized that Lithuania will “fight enough” for its interests.
“We believe that, as the Government, we have already done a lot of procedural things in this process, both for the plot and for other matters. But we want to have what we need here first of all”, said I. Šimonytė, without revealing which proposals of “Rheinmetall” do not meet the interests of Lithuania.
“We just have to agree that we buy what we need,” she added.
According to I. Šimonytė, negotiations are also underway regarding the management form of the Rheinmetall company in Lithuania.
Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas said last week that negotiations are underway with Rheinmetall on how many and which parameters Lithuania would purchase from the Germans in 155 mm ammunition. According to him, the negotiations are coming to an end, and the agreements should be consolidated in a contract.
The plans of the Ukrainians regarding the explosives factory are not detailed
I. Šimonytė did not provide more information about the plans of an unnamed Ukrainian company to build a factory of so-called RDX explosives in Lithuania. The Ministry of Economy and Innovation announced on Wednesday the memorandum of intent signed with the Ukrainians.
“In these processes, information is disclosed when it is agreed to disclose information. Apparently, this information will be revealed at the time when the Ministry of Economy and Innovation will be able to do so,” said the Prime Minister.
She said she could neither confirm nor deny that the factory will be built in Panevėžys district, Upytė ward.
The government last week reserved three plots of state land at the site, two of which are of interest to a potential defense and security industry investor.
Two defense industry investors have already announced their plans in Lithuania this year.
At the end of September, a memorandum was signed in Vilnius with the US defense industry giant Northrop Grumman, it intends to install a 30 mm caliber ammunition production line on the territory of the Giraitė armament factory in the Kaunas district by the middle of 2026.
At that time, the German defense industry concern “Rheinmetall” intends to invest more than 180 million euros in the 155 mm artillery ammunition factory in Radviliškis district. euros, it should create at least 150 new jobs.
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