The 4 percent initiative is relevant for me and our team, because its goal is to preserve our state, territorial integrity, the future of our children, and also the sustainability of our business, says Giedr Kaminskait-Salters, CEO of AB Telia Lietuva. Telia Lietuva supports the 4 percent initiative, which aims to get Lithuanian politicians to agree as soon as possible on defense funding aimed at 4% of GDP.
Over 50,000 petitions to increase funding for defense were signed by the City of Lithuania in less than a month, thus requiring 4 percent of their approval for the initiative. The signed petition has been submitted to the Lithuanian authorities.
According to G. Kaminskaits-Salters, Telia Lietuva is also advocating that funding for defense be increased.
It didn’t suit me that the planned 50,000 per day for the castle was collected in a record time. On the other hand, the initiative united even the biggest competitors both in the crepe industry and in the telecommunications market, says the manager of Telia Lietuva. This shows how important the issue of oil safety is to us. Now it is very important that the will of the people is not lost, but becomes the basis of the legislative document, so that it is supported by all political parties. Mons shows that they can concentrate, defend freedom in the same way as they did in 1991. On January 13, when the enemy tries to carry out a coup and restore Soviet power, it shows that our society is very healthy.
Businesses will choose to pay higher taxes
According to her, the petition showed the politicians that it is time to agree and take active action to strengthen the defense, because now we have favorable time and opportunities for this as the economy is rapidly strengthening.
Our Polish neighbors managed to spend more than 4% of GDP on defense, and for us, a small country, the risk is even greater, so we must aim for much more than 3% of GDP on defense. My colleagues and I believe that it is necessary to reach at least 4%, the manager of Telia Lietuva agreed. On behalf of our people and the participants of our initiative, I can assure you that businesses will choose to pay higher taxes in order to increase state security.
According to her, it is not only patriotism, but also business interests.
For example, Telia has invested more than 1 billion in the development of fixed and mobile networks in Lithuania. Eur. We need to protect these investments. Both our shareholders and our management are clear that we will contribute to the safety of the oil through payments, asserts the manager of Telia Lietuva. Therefore, we do not want to participate in the debate about what those fees should be. This question must be answered by the competent oil authorities, the ministry. We say: treat us only as a possible source of funding, but let’s agree on the fees that will be raised for the business.
Business is getting ready
She supports the idea that the business contribution to increasing oil defense capabilities cannot necessarily be only higher taxes.
Business is already participating in the preparation to counter any geopolitical threat. For example, when in 2023 In July, a NATO meeting was held in Vilnius, we were apparently the strongest cyber security island in Europe. Although we see that the actions of the front were very active at that time, but we were able to assure the state leaders of permanent security, recalls the head of Telia Lietuva. Cyber security is a daily priority and we are able to ensure it.
According to her, the Telia Lietuva team is preparing for a possible threat and learning to provide first aid in order to save lives in the event of an aggression, as well as ordering more details for the production of drones that will be supplied to volunteers, the employee’s request to use them for military exercises instead of vacation is being considered.
The contribution of each army, including providing conditions for employees to learn a certain military subject, should be an integral part of the entire preparation for strengthening the defense, according to the head of Telia Lietuva.
Closer coordination is needed
However, she is convinced that without large investments, we will not achieve much in the future, so it is very important to agree on adequate oil defense financing.
G. Kaminskait-Salters also mentions that additional investments are needed for individual companies, which will help, for example, ensure safe and reliable communication.
We are constantly investing in additional security, but there is a need for cooperation between institutions performing various functions, where investments are most needed, in order to maximize security, for example, telecommunications, energy and finance. You want to see the overall picture, thinks the manager of Telia Lietuva.
Although, according to her, such a process is taking place, it should take place more quickly, on a larger scale and with more specific decisions.
He is studying at a college in Ukraine
We work closely with colleagues in Ukraine. His experience of liquidation of previously interrupted power lines and power supply to communication towers or other events, restoration of damaged underground cables and other infrastructure, how telecommunication specialists have to work in particularly dangerous areas with life-saving vests at the risk of life is the reality of war, which we must face in peacetime, Ukrainians the manager of Telia Lietuva shares his experience with colleagues. It is very important not to hide from such a reality when renting access to the network, but to use the critical time for preparation, to invest additionally in the security and protection of our network, training and mobilization of specialists. He who is ready is not afraid of anyone, everyone is afraid of him.
Therefore, according to her, politicians are expected to be calm and confident, consistent and firm in preparing for the worst case: And when you prepare for it, it usually doesn’t happen.
We strengthen defense and investor confidence
Investing in our foreign defense colleagues and partners is seen as an absolutely correct step. This is also a condition for us to continue receiving foreign investments. By the way, our shareholder continues to invest in the development of Telia Lietuva, increases the number of employees in the new departments, says the manager of Telia Lietuva. On the contrary, if we did not prepare for the worst, hoping that it would not happen, we would look careless and raise doubts about our attractiveness to investors. We must invest in our defense in order to maintain the world’s trust in our country.
She reminded that at least three elections will be held in Lithuania this year, which is the ground for populists and such political forces.
Therefore, our government, the President, the Seimas, and the Government, must pay attention to the public and business voices, to unite so that the initiative for increased funding for defense by 4 percent and the petition presented to them will turn into a law and we can quickly find the necessary funding, urges G. Kaminskait-Salters.
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