Lithuanian defence minister apologises over 48,000-euro staff party

Lithuania's Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas apologised over a party for ministry employees that cost nearly 48,000 euros and said a new system for motivating staff and building a sense of community would be created.

"Was the chosen format, time and amount of expenses appropriate in the current geopolitical situation? I think not. Therefore, I sincerely apologise to the people for whom this situation caused anger, disappointment, anxiety or doubt. I hear and understand this reaction," Kaunas wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

Kaunas said the minister bears responsibility for the ministry's activities and therefore "there will be no search for culprits".

According to him, an agreement was reached with the head of the ministry's trade union to prepare a clear and transparent system for employee motivation and community building that meets the principles of rational use of funds.

Kaunas also noted that he sees "problems that require not isolated fixes, but a systemic review" in the ministry's chancellery and administration.

The party organised by the ministry for almost 48,000 euros was reported last week by Lrytas and Lietuvos Rytas TV.

Kaunas previously said that such events are common practice in organisations, but promised to evaluate the event's cost and the circumstances of its organisation.

President Gitanas Nausėda said he expected an apology from the minister and did not answer whether he still trusted him. According to the head of state, the story discredits national defence funding.

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said his trust in the minister had not wavered because of the event.