On January 12 Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas discussed bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation at a meeting with Ambassador of Norway to Lithuania Ole Terje Horpestad.
Minister thanked Norway for the efforts to collectively strengthen security in the Baltics. Norway has been contributing troops to the German-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group since mid-2017, it also takes part in in the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states by deploying air assets and personnel to Šiauliai. “That is an example of NATO solidarity and unity,” said Minister.
Minister and Ambassador agreed unanimously that the transatlantic bond had exclusive importance in ensuring security to both, Lithuania and Norway, and the United States was among the key allies. Naturally, the rotational presence of the United States in Lithuania was a substantial contribution to the maintenance of the transatlantic bond and increasing regional security.
The officials both stressed that the security situation in the region remained tense, therefore, Minister A.Anušauskas assured Ambassador that the new Lithuanian Government will retain the continuity of efforts and investment into security and defence.
The Cooperation between Lithuania and Norway in the field of defence involves various areas – defence policy planning, training. Meetings of ministers, chiefs of defence, political directors, etc. are constantly organised in multilateral formats: Nordic-Baltic, Northern Group, United Kingdom-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) that contribute to the enhancement of security co-operation.
Norway assists Lithuania in building it defensive capabilities. The bilateral military cooperation gained more pace with the Ministry of National Defence procurement of National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) components and missiles from Norway. The purchase was delivered to the Lithuanian Armed Forces last autumn. Norway has also handed over to Lithuania short-range air defence systems RBS-70, which are currently used by the Air Defence Battalion of the Air Force. The Lithuanian Armed Forces has acquired from Norway ships for the Navy as well as implemented other projects.
Photo credit: Giedrė Maksimovizc-Alkema/MoD
