VILNIUS, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda met with Czech President Petr Pavel in Vilnius on Thursday to discuss strengthening cooperation in the defense industry, particularly in drone technologies and artificial intelligence.

Nauseda also expressed hope that the Czech Republic will again participate in the Baltic Air Policing mission in the future, according to a press release from the Lithuanian presidential office.

Pavel said the Czech side is open to cooperating with Lithuania on projects to modernize the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The two leaders also discussed regional security as well as cooperation within NATO and the European Union, the press release said.