On November 24 Defence Attaché of Ukraine Col Oleksandr Kobersky was farewelled at a ceremony at the Ministry of National Defence. His work in strengthening bilateral Lithuanian-Ukrainian defence cooperation was thanked for and recognised with the National Defence System Medal of Merit presented by acting Vice Minister of National Defence Eimutis Misiūnas.
“Lithuania stands firmly as a supporter of Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations and a reliable partner in the assistance to Ukraine’s defence reform, as well as the aspiration of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to build capabilities and capacity to interact in line with NATO standards,” Vice Minister said at the ceremony.
“The bilateral defence cooperation is comprehensive already and is further expanded. Lithuania and Ukraine are faced with the same modern challenges in such areas as cyber-security and hybrid threats. The cooperation will be continued and increased in areas that a important to both sides,” Vice Minister E. Misiūnas said.
Col O. Kobersky held the position of Defence Attaché of Ukraine in Lithuania, also accredited to Latvia and Estonia, with the office in Vilnius from 2016.
Lithuania supports Ukraine’s aspirations to become a full-fledged member of NATO and the European Union. The two countries intensely cooperate in military area, Ukraine’s representatives study at the Gen Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Lithuanian Armed Forces School, Military Medical Service, Baltic Defence College in Estonia. Lithuania provides consultations to Ukrainian colleagues on strategic communication, cyber-security, etc. In 2017 the Lithuanian Armed Forces started the so far only national multinational military training operation in Ukraine to train its armed forces and help them develop the capacity to operate according to NATO principles and standards.
Photo credits: G.Maksimovicz-Alkema/MoD
