September 13, Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas signed a Lithuanian-German defence cooperation agreement in Berlin. The document regulates the legal status of the German force members, civil servants and their family members in Lithuania, as well as their access to civil services: healthcare, transport, education for the children.
The intergovernmental contract was signed by Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Survila and Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius with Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Tobias Lindner. The agreement will come into force once ratified at the Parliaments of the respective countries. I
“This is a historical signature required for the permanent stationing of the German brigade in Lithuania. It sis yet another crucial step closer to the practical fulfilment of the project and an unshakable proof of Germany’s commitment to the security of Lithuania. Our goal to develop the best conditions possible for the German military and their families and to host the German brigade in full by the end of 2027 remains unchanged. It will take the security of our country to the next level and will strengthen NATO deterrence and defence,” said Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas.
L. Kasčiūnas assured that all territories and areas with infrastructure developed for the German brigade will remain in possession of the Republic of Lithuania.
“The military territories and objects of the Republic of Lithuania dedicated for the German Brigade Litauen will be used only with permission of the Republic of Lithuania in full respect of the Lithuanian sovereignty and legislation. The Rūdninkai Training Area where the bulk of the German Brigade will be stationed is not a military base of a foreign country but rather a military territory of the Republic of Lithuania rendered for the German Allies and the Lithuanian Armed Forces as well as other NATO Allies to use,” underlined L. Kasčiūnas.
The intergovernmental agreement outlines the order of using the assigned military territories, procedures for the arrival, departure and mobility of the German Armed Forces within the Republic of Lithuania, instructions on sharing jurisdiction, opportunities for establishing education institutions for the German Armed Forces in Lithuania, as well as access for the German military and civil servants to healthcare services, and more.
According to Minister of National Defence, the agreement with Germany is a testament to Lithuania’s success in doing the homework. The historical document was put together in close collaboration between the Ministry of National Defence with the other Ministries, city councils and institutions.
“The provisions of the agreement concerning education institutions for the needs of the German Armed Forces in the territory of Lithuania were fine-tuned with the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. The institutions will offer German syllabuses in German language. While infrastructure for schools and kindergartens will be assigned by city councils of Vilnius and Kaunas,” L. Kasčiūnas underscored as an example cooperation with other institutions.
The document lays out the order of arrival of German troops in Lithuania, as well as their departure, the ways they will be able to access Lithuanian military infrastructure objects, and other practical considerations. It allows for establishing military shops and mess-halls, post services, radio station, driving schools and military medical facilities for the German Allies.
As the number of German troops deploying to Lithuania are gradually mounting, they will temporarily use the infrastructure of the Lithuanian Armed Forces located in the vicinity of Vilnius: Nemenčinė and Rokantiškės. The military campus of Rokantiškės was unveiled this year offering excellent conditions for service and combat readiness building according to NATO standards. The German military will have everything they need for work and training in Rokantiškės and Nemenčinė. Servicemembers of Duke Vaidotas Infantry Battalion will be temporarily relocated from the Rokantiškės campus to Vilnius.
Last December Lithuania and Germanys signed a Roadmap Action Plan which continues to serve as the main guidelines for the project. The headquarters initial command element of the Brigade settled in in Vilnius in April, construction of the Rūdninkai military campus have been kicked off, other ongoing development of military civilian infrastructure continues.
Photo by German Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg)
