On October 3 Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas took part in a JEF Defence Ministers’ conference on critical infrastructure security of the Joint Expeditionary Force partner nations following the blasts in the Nordstream gas pipeline. Defence Ministers agreed to increase the awareness level and intelligence sharing to make sure that critical infrastructure security in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea regions is stronger.
“We condemn the recent attacks on the Nordstream gas pipeline. We all know who is behind it. Lithuania has already adopted additional measures to protect its critical infrastructure, especially the Klaipėda LND Terminal and electricity grids. JEF nations agree that we need to share intelligence and continue coordinating joint actions. We have to be vigilant,” said A. Anušauskas.
According to Minister, the recent attacks were a part of the larger Russian strategy: to destabilize allies and draw the attention away from Ukraine. A. Anušauskas underscored that the Allied resolve to aid Ukraine was not faltering.
The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is a high-readiness combat capability created to respond to crises in Europe or the Baltic Sea region. The United Kingdom is its framework nation of the capability formed by land, air and maritime capabilities by 10e nations of Norther Europe – UK, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
