On June 17 the joint Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers session of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg addressed implementation of EU defence initiatives, progress made , and further decisions needed to enhance EU member states’ ability to respond to emerging threats properly.
Minister of National Defence R. Karoblis stressed that the success of the European Union in defence area primarily depends on the member states’ efforts to continue increasing defence budgets and developing capabilities of priority areas.
Another standing Lithuania’s priority is NATO-EU cooperation, therefore European defence initiatives should be in harmony with NATO priorities.
According to Minister of Defence, the most important task at the moment is to ensure an open and constructive dialogue between NATO and EU allies seeking to make clear the processes within the EU and to take into account emerging sensitivities. Improvement of military mobility in Europe is an example which proves the importance of coordination of NATO and EU actions and decisions. Lithuania notes the progress in improving conditions for mobility of military purpose goods and forces in Europe but urges to continue the work without postponing the decision-making.
Lithuania is prepared to contribute to international efforts to improve the current situation concerning military mobility, therefore it has agreed to chair Simplified Military Mobility Procedures Task Group (Managing Committee) currently formed in the European Defence Agency. The objective of the Task Group is to concert and simplify procedures of military mobility, especially by land, over a minimal time.
Photo credit: Foreign Affairs Council
