Ministers of National Defence of Lithuania and Poland met in Warsaw on February 21 to step up Lithuanian-Polish defence cooperation. Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis and Minister of National Defence of Poland Mariusz Błaszczak discussed security and defence while emphasising the importance of bilateral military cooperation.
Ministers also signed two bilateral agreements on affiliation of Lithuanian and Polish Armed Forces’ brigades to the Multinational Division North-East HQ, and on the creation of a secure communication channel for radar surveillance data exchange.
“Ensuring air defence remains to be a significant security challenge in the region. Development of national air defence capabilities is a vital element of deterrence and defence, however, we have to develop a unified air defence system with our partners in order to ensure a reliable air defence of the entire region. And the signature of the contract on radar data exchange is an excellent example of cooperation which contributes significantly to the creation of such system,” Minister of National Defence R. Karoblis said on the signature of a technical agreement.
Ministers also signed a Protocol of Intent on the affiliation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf and the 15th Mechanised Brigade of the Polish Armed Forces to the headquarters of the Multinational Divisional North-East (MND NE ) in Elblag (Poland).
According to Minister of National Defence R. Karoblis, affiliation of Lithuanian and Polish brigades to a NATO division headquarters will significantly improve both countries’ readiness to act together in case of defence of the Suwalki Gap in case of a crisis or war. The agreement provides the basis for Lithuanian and Polish Brigades to coordinate planning, conduct joint military training and exercises, and exchange intelligence in the framework of the Multinational Divisional North-East at peacetime. The affiliation will significantly boost NATO deterrence and defence on the eastern flank of the Alliance and improve security of the Suwalki Corridor.
On February 21-22 Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis is conducting a formal visit to Poland in the delegation of President of the Republic of Lithuania HE Dalia Grybauskaitė. The visit schedule included meetings with the President, Marshals the Sejm and Senate and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland. The delegations are also planned to visit Lublin and the Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian Brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG) headquarters there.
Photo credits: Pte Wojciech Król (Ministry of National Defence of Poland)
