Friday, Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas and Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen Valdemaras Rupšys met with Chief of the Defence Staff of the Spanish Armed Forces Admiral General Teodoro E. Lopez Calderon on a visit to Lithuania. At the meeting at the Ministry of National Defence the Lithuanian representatives and the guest from Spain discussed bilateral cooperation, security situation in the region, and the agenda of the upcoming NATO Summit.
“We thank Spain for the active role in strengthening security in the Baltic region: allied support contributes to a better deterrence against military aggression and helps to protect the Alliance territory. Therefore, Lithuania seeks to ensure the presence of NATO forces, effective and swift NATO enforcement, and guaranteed air defence in case of a crisis or conflict,” Minister A. Anušauskas said to Chief of the Defence Staff of the Spanish Armed Forces.
“Accept my heartfelt thank-you for the contribution Spain makes to our deterrence and security. Deploying forces from so far away, Spain demonstrates it understands the threats to our region and they are ready to contribute to deterrence, and if necessary, to Lithuania’s defence. Both, Lithuanian military and the wider society appreciate that,” Lt Gen V. Rupšys said at the meeting.
Admiral General Teodoro E. Lopez Calderon is visiting Lithuania with Chief of the Spanish Joint Staff Lt Gen Fernando García Gonzalez-Valerio and Commander of the Operations Command Spain Lt Gen Francisco Braco Carbo.
The Spanish delegation is also planned to visit Šiauliai to meet with the Spanish Air Detachment conducting the 8th Spain’s rotation of the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states on the same day. The Spanish Air Force has been leading the mission with seven Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft since early May. Next Spain’s rotation in Šiauliai is planned for 2022.
Photo credits: Pliadis/MoD.
