On October 6 Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas met with Commander HQ Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE) Lieutenant Colonel Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart who is nearing the end of his term.
Minister underlined the increase of the HQ MNC NE role in NATO plans, especially in defence of the Baltic region and thanked Lt Gen J. Von Sandart for support and assistance to Lithuania in its ambition to become the fourth MNC NE framework nation.
“NATO Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast plays a crucial role in defence of the region in ensuring deterrence and Alliance defence since the very first moment of a potential aggression. Personal leadership and effort of Lt Gen Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart to strengthen the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast and our regional security with it are particularly important,” said Minister of National Defence L. Kasčiūnas.
Becoming a MNC NE framework nation will integrate the currently developed Lithuania’s national division with MNC NE capabilities and will allow to appoint officers to positions of command in HQ MNC NE.
Lieutenant Colonel Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart will relinquish to Major General Dariusz Parylak of the Polish Armed Forces at a HQ MNC NE change of command ceremony in Szczecin on November 21.
MNC NE is a high-readiness force headquarters responsible for control of Allied operations in the eastern flank (northern part of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia). It develops and implements regional defence plans and would ensure defence in the event of a real threat.
