“Increasing German military presence in Lithuania is our long-term priority. We wish to see more German forces in our region and in Lithuania. We have to move consistently step by step towards this goal,” says Vice Minister of National Defence Žilvinas Tomkus during his visit to Berlin.
On June 16 Vice Minister met with Parliamentary State Secretary to Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence Siemtje Möller and Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Tobias Lindner to discuss strengthening security of the eastern flank of NATO.
“The eastern flank of NATO needs strengthening. It is hardly practicable without the German leadership. Germany is one of our key Allies that contributes critically to our security and defence,” said Vice Minister Ž. Tomkus.
The officials discussed priorities of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, strengthening of the NATO air defence, assistance to Ukraine, strengthening of the European defence industry, and joint contributions of Lithuania and Germany to international operations.
On June 17 Vice Minister Ž. Tomkus attended the Kiel Security Conference to discuss challenges facing the Baltic Sea security with high-ranking officials.
