Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas was in attendance via teleconference at the European Parliament Committee on Security and Defence meeting and sideline discussion on Persistent Threat of Hybrid Warfare – Recent Combined Attacks Against Lithuania Carried out by Belarus. Lithuania as also represented by Head of the National Crisis Management Centre Vilmantas Vitkauskas at the sideline event.
Minister thanked the European Parliament for including the resolution on Belarus’ hybrid attacks in the agenda at the meeting.
“The International Vilnius and Kaunas Airports have been forced to suspend activities as a result of smuggling balloon presence on 16 occasions over the past two months. This modus operandi presents a serious threat to civilian aviation and public security and, therefore, cannot be viewed as just an act of smuggling. This is an international hybrid attack,” Minister stated and noted that the Lithuanian Armed Forces were aiming for the most effective and public-safe way to neutralize the smuggling balloons crossing over into Lithuania.
R. Kaunas welcomed the Eastern Flank Watch and Drone Wall initiatives proposed by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen for strengthening air defence and underscored that protection of the eastern EU border had to be prioritized in the EU agenda.
It is important to make sure EU initiatives are translated into actual capability. We hope for support of the European Parliament and proper financing for EU-level projects,” Minister R. Kaunas stated while also noting that Europe needed to take in Ukraine’s lessons learned by means of joint training and investment in Ukraine’s defence industry in order to ensure effective air defence.
Minister reminded that it was not the first hostile activity of the Belarusian regime directed against the society of Lithuania. In 2021-2022, Belarus was aiming to create political pressure and instability in the society by means of a migrant crisis.
European Parliament Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is responsible for shaping the European Common Security and Defence Policy, monitoring EU military and civilian missions, strengthening defence capabilities and coordination with NATO and other partners.
