Martynas Katelynas said a special centre for potential refugees is being built at Łoździeje, near the Polish border, after Lithuania recently held evacuation exercises.
"This border crossing, which connects us with Poland, is intended for around a million, perhaps even more, refugees from our countries who could be evacuated in wartime", Katelynas said.
He spoke at Budzisko, on the Polish-Lithuanian frontier, alongside Poland's interior minister, Marcin Kierwiński. The two had earlier met in Suwałki to discuss evacuation plans.
Kierwiński said responsibility for cross-border evacuation, infrastructure, alternative crossings and reception points had been assigned to specific units.
"We are starting intensive work in this area", he said.
Kierwiński added that Poland and the Baltic states must speak with one voice in countering threats, including those posed by Russian imperialism.
"Poland and Lithuania are like brothers and sisters who support each other and will continue to do so", Katelynas said.
Poland has carried out checks on its side of the 104-kilometre border since July 2025, citing increased migration. Controls are in place at 13 locations.
Katelynas said the checks are random and have not been tightened, and that the long summer queues have disappeared. Kierwiński said officials are trying to keep the disruption to travellers to a minimum.
(jh)
Source: PAP