On January 29-30 the Baltic Defence Ministerial Committee (3B) met in Tallinn, Estonia. Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas, Minister of Defence of Latvia Andris Sprūdsand Minister of Defence of Estonia Hanno Pevkur discussed agenda of the NATO Defence Ministerial due in February, status of joint regional projects, creation of a joint Baltic Military Mobility Area, transatlantic relations and assistance to Ukraine.
The 3B Military Mobility Area project was launched in 2023 under NATO coordination to secure conditions for a smooth and interrupted movement of military forces. In the long-term, the project is designed to create an integrated military mobility area spanning all of Europe.
“The Joint Declaration of Intent on 3B Military Mobility Area signed today means that if necessary, Lithuania’s military assets will be able to move freely towards Riga, Estonia’s artillery will support Vilnius, Latvian capabilities will back up Tallinn, and vice versa. Every hour is critical in a crisis, we cannot let the walls of bureaucracy undercut our defence. The Baltic states shall never again be a periphery of anyone. We are the owners of the eastern flank of NATO and we seriously take on the implementation of the NATO defence plans,” said Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas.
The meeting also focussed heavily on the status of regional projects: the Baltic Defence Line and the Eastern Flank Watch. The Baltic states work hand in hand to secure EU financing for implementation of these projects to ensure stronger countermobility and border defence capabilities. The ongoing collaboration with Poland on the Eastern Shield addresses mutual integrity of the projects and efficient implementation of the NATO defence plans.
“Our defence cooperation with Latvia and Lithuania is steadfast like it should be between close neighbors. The Decision taken at the NATO Summit in The Hague to reach 5% of GDP defence spending target is an important step for the Baltic unity and our common objectives. We will review the progress made towards that goal over the year at the upcoming NATO Defence Summit in Ankara in June. Today in Tallinn, with my Latvian and Lithuanian colleagues, we have taken the decision to establish a 3B Military Mobility Area to ensure that the equipment of our defence forces can move on the basis of a joint, agreed and standardized system,” said Minister Defence of Latvia,” said Minister of Defence of Latvia H. Pevkur.
“Our security is as strong as our will to enact. The Baltic Defence Line and industrial cooperation is our responsibility and practical response to regional challenges. When we coordinate our capabilities, we not only strengthen the border of NATO, but also form a strong foundation for stability of all of Europe,” said Minister of Defence of Latvia A. Sprūds.
The Baltic Defence Ministers also discussed strengthening NATO security and agenda of the upcoming NATO Summit in detail. R. Kaunas underscored that the highlight of the Summit in Ankara to Lithuania will strengthening of air defence through implementation of the Rotational Air Defence Model and transition from air policing to peacetime air defence. Ministers also agreed that Europe should take more responsibility for its security and aim for 5% of GDP defence spending as agree at the historical meeting at The Hague Summit.
In the discussion on strengthening the transatlantic ties, Ministers underscored the importance of continuing the strategic U.S.-Baltic cooperation and expressed gratitude to the United States for the security assistance strengthening the Baltic security and defence capabilities. The efforts has been instrumental in stepping up the U.S.-Baltic cooperation as well.
Ministers also addressed capability development to ensure NATO capability targets, including the initiatives implemented by means of common acquisition or planned to be implemented via the EU SAFE instrument.
When discussing the assistance to Ukraine, Ministers agreed that NATO and EU member states needed to retain and step up military assistance, especially to tick off the shortages on the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). The 3B Minister also reiterated the 3B commitment to render assistance worth at least 0.25% of GDP annually, as well as to continue the support and deploy forces in the format of the Coalition of the Willing in case a ceasefire of peace deal is reached.
At the end of the meeting Ministers signed a Joint Communique on further defence cooperation.
Photo credits: Ministry of Defence of Estonia
