Joint Communiqué of the Baltic Defence Cooperation
“We are delighted with the proper response of NATO, EU bodies and members to the hybrid attack against the Baltic states that the Belarusian regime has launched by instrumentalising migration – we are thankful for the assistance and proper understanding of the gravity of the situation. Now we need a proper response to the Russian escalation in Ukraine – the Russian actions press for additional NATO measures of deterrence,” said Minister of National Defence Tuesday Arvydas Anušauskas at a Baltic Defence Ministers meeting on the regional security situation in Kaunas.
“I am very pleased that despite the pandemic and other considerable challenges the Baltic countries have been demonstrating this year again that we can cooperate when there is such a need,” said A. Anušauskas.
At the meeting at the Vytautas the Great War Museum Minister A. Anušauskas, Minister of Defence of Latvia Artis Pabriks and Minister of Defence of Estonia Kalle Laanet focused on the security situation in Europe in the context of destabilizing Russian and Belarusians actions. The Ministers share the view that the Russian concentration of military capabilities near the border with Ukraine is an extraordinarily menacing Russian attempt on the sovereignty of the NATO-aspirant Ukraine.
“The Baltic states are not only stand by the territorial integrity of Ukraine and untouchability of its borders but also support it firmly, as well as the defence sector reform of the country. In case of a need, the Baltic states are prepared to render both, military and non-military assistance to Ukraine at no notice. Our unity and support are very important for Ukraine,” said Minister A. Anušauskas.
Baltic Defence Ministers also laid out in Kaunas Tuesday the guidelines of further cooperation by signing a Joint Communique that covered plans of joint activities in the area of security and defence in 2022. The Baltic states will continue focusing majorly on the development of joint capabilities and coordination of actions in NATO and EU formats.
The Ministers are united in calling the close ties with the allies and their military presence in Lithuania the main pillar of the Baltic security.
“The key and irreplaceable measure of deterrence in our region is the presence of allied troops on the ground. We grateful to the NATO allies for the deploying forces as the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalions and for the active contribution to the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states. We are also committed to increase our participation in international missions and operations and that way contribute to the international security,” stated A. Anušauskas.
Lithuania chairs the Baltic Defence Cooperation this year, in 2022 it will be transferred to Estonia.
“We are concluding yet another cycle of the Baltic cooperation presidency. As a chair country representative, I am very pleased that despite the pandemic and other considerable challenges the Baltic countries have been demonstrating this year again that we can cooperate when there is such a need,” said A. Anušauskas.
The areas of the most intense Baltic defence cooperation over the recent years have been officer training at the Baltic Defence College, NATO Air Policing, naval forces, and joint exercises. The countries also synchronise capability planning, coordinate joint procurement, organise joint training events, exercises, seminars, and carry out cooperation of individual armed services.
Photo credits: Elvita Smalakė
