Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas met with Minister of Defence of the Netherlands Kajsa Ollongren. L. Kasčiūnas thanked the Netherlands for the country’s contribution to the Baltic security. According to him, security and defence cooperation between our nations is steadfast and unbreakable, and it is vital for the Baltic security.
The Netherland has a substantial contingent in the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Lithuania of approx. 270 Dutch servicemembers, besides contributions to the NATO Air Policing Mission, NATO Force Integration Unit, consistent cooperation with the Lithuanian Armed Forces. L. Kasčiūnas expressed appreciation of the Dutch decision to deploy the Patriot long-range air defence system to Lithuania.
“Air defence is our main and key priority. Training of the Netherlands and units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces this summer will strengthen our capabilities and help to implement the Rotational NATO Air Defence Model which was agreed to at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. Deployment of the Patriot system could be a signal to encourage other nations to contribute to the implementation of the model as well,” L. Kasčiūnas said.
Minister acknowledged that implementation of the rotational model which enables training to switch between crisis and peace modes seamlessly is a good deterrent and a priority in the eastern flank.
After the meeting Minister of Defence of the Netherlands K. Ollongren noted that “the Netherlands has a commitment to your and neighbors’ security. We understand your borders as ours and we have to protect it together. The Dutch military have been in Lithuania since 2017 with the NATO enhanced Presence Battalion Battle Group. We are grateful for the hospitality that your country has provided to our troops. Therefore it is my pleasure to notify you that the Netherlands has decided to extend the NATO eFP contribution mandate for two more years until 2026. It is a demonstration of our commitment and our dedication to contribute to deterrence. <<…>> Moreover, we are going to send F-35 fighter aircraft to help protect the skies over the three Baltic states with the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission, the equipment will be based in Estonia from December of this year until March 2025. Our plan is to deploy 3 to 10 fighter jets with full maintenance staff composition,” said Minister K. Ollongren after the meeting with Minister L. Kasčiūnas.
Ministers also discussed the NATO agenda ahead of the upcoming Summit in Washington. “Our priorities must focus on implementing the regional NATO plans. We understand some capability gaps will remained unfilled that have to be taken care of immediately, as well as to enhance deterrence and defensibility of the eastern flank of NATO,” said Minister L. Kasčiūnas.
Ministers also addressed assistance to Ukraine and the necessity to render support for as as long as it takes as well. They touched upon the initiatives of the different formats of assistance to attend Ukraine’s most urgent needs. Lithuania’s assistance to Ukraine is for the long-haul. Military assistance we have delivered since the war was begun amounts to approx. EUR 610 million. This year alone approx. EUR 84 million have been spent in support of UKRAine already. This dynamic is aimed to stay.
Yet another topic of the meeting was cyber-threat and cyber security initiatives. Ministers invited more cooperation in the Cyber Rapid Response Teams (CRRT) format.
After meeting with Minister L. Kasčiūnas Minister of Defence of the Netherland will visit Rukla to meet with the Dutch military serving there.
Photo credits: SSgt A. Čemerka/MoD
