On October 10 Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis will meet with Minister of Defence of Germany Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer conducting a visit in Lithuania. The officials are expected to discuss regional security, bilateral cooperation, NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania, and other relevant issues. The Ministers will also address the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union and priorities for the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second semester of 2020.
Later Lithuanian and German Defence Ministers will visit the German-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group based in Rukla: Germany has the largest contribution of over 600 troops in the multinational unit deployed in Lithuania for deterrence and defence. In total, over 1.2 thousand soldiers from 6 allies make up the NATO eFP Battle Group Lithuania.
Lithuania and Germany are bound together by a particularly successful and fruitful military cooperation. Germany has already deployed 10 rotations for the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states to protect the Baltic airspace since 2004. Germany is providing assistance to Lithuania in modernising our Armed Forces and military equipment and is investing into our military infrastructure. Germany has not only taken the role of leadership in leading the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group but also assembled other allies. The Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf into which the NATO eFP Battle Group is integrated was affiliated to the German Bundeswehr Division in 2018. It will increase compatibility of armed forces of both countries and allow to prepare for different scenarios more effectively. Lithuania is also steadily active and reliable partner to Germany in international operations and missions. Moreover, Lithuania’s largest weaponry acquisition contracts are made with German defence industry (for procuring Vilkas/Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicles, PzH 2000 heavy self-propelled artillery systems, etc.)
It is going to be the second meeting of Minister of National Defence R.Karoblis and Minister of Defence of Germany A. Kramp – Karrenbauer. They first met in August earlier this year at the European Union Defence Ministerial in Brussels. Ms A. Kramp-Karrenbauer was appointed as the Minister of Defence of Germany in July this year.
Media opportunities during the visit of the Minister of Defence of Germany:
Rukla (Great Hetman of Lithuania Jonušas Radvila Training Regiment):
1340 hrs – Arrival of Minister of National Defence and Minister of Defence of Germany in Rukla
Media programme: military equipment and weaponry display, press point by Ministers of Defence of Lithuania and Germany.
Expected duration of the event in Rukla: approx. 2 hours.
Media representatives are invited to arrive in Rukla before 1310 hrs for security checks
Media representatives are invited to register until Wednesday, October 9, 1500 hrs, at [email protected]. Information required for registration: full name, represented media outlet, contacts (mobile phone number, e-mail address), pointing out the part of the event that will be attended.
Media representatives may be asked to present personal ID documents and press card on site.
Freelance reporters and foreign media representatives will need accreditation given by the MoD Strategic Communication and Public Relations Department, e-mail: [email protected]. Information required: filled out questionnaire form, copies of a personal ID document and confirmation letter from the media outlet.
POC in Rukla: staff officer of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf HQ brigade, 1st Lt Aleksandr Seliuk, +370 638 89 219.
Photo credits: MoD archive (meeting of Lithuanian and German Defence Ministers in Brussels in August)
