On November 21 the next Defence Attaché of Italy to the Republic Of Lithuania Col Stefano Cavaliere was accredited to Lithuania at a ceremony at the Ministry of National Defence. The new Defence Attaché was welcomed to the position by MoD Defence Policy Director Vaidotas Urbelis who wished him success in the duties and underscored the intensification seen in the defence cooperation between Lithuania and Italy.
“The military cooperation of Lithuania and Italy was somewhat passive in the past due to the geographical distance and different security challenges. The situation has changed in the recent years. Our current state of cooperation is much more intense. We are grateful to Italy for their constant contributions to the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states, as well as to the NATO Force Integration Unit and NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence in Lithuania,” said V. Urbelis.
The defence cooperation between Lithuania and Italy is developed in various scopes and forms. One of the most visible instances of cooperation is acquisition of three C-27J Spartan tactical cargo aircraft from an Italian company. The Italian Armed Forces are still maintaining constant contact with aircrews and maintenance personnel, improve their qualification and skills, and assist the Lithuanian Armed Forces with training fighter jet pilots.
The new Defence Attaché to Lithuania previously served across the Italian Armed Forces since 1991. His most recent position was in the operational chain of command.
