Vice Minister of National Defence Giedrimas Jeglinskas and Director of the Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence Sigitas Dzekunskas conducted a visit to Sweden on January 29-30. Vice Minister met with the new State Secretary to the Minister of Defence of Sweden, Jan-Olof Lind, who assumed the duties just a week ago following over four months the formation of the Government of Sweden had taken after the elections to Sweden’s Parliament (Riksdag) of 9 September 2018. Vice Minister and State Secretary discussed security situation in the region, expressed delight about the close relations between Lithuanian and Swedish militaries, and topical aspects of the European security initiatives.
The main focus of the meeting was placed on the potential means to strengthen the countries’ cooperation in strengthening security in the Baltic region, also, development of military capabilities and infrastructure. Vice Minister G. Jeglinskas presented the plans developed by the Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania concerning expansion of military infrastructure by Public-Private Partnership method.
“We are very grateful to Sweden for the assistance in creating the Armed Forces of the re-established Lithuania. These days our soldiers are working side by side to make sure that our region is secure. We make every effort to provide as good as possible training conditions to our and allied soldiers in Lithuania, therefore we are inviting the public and the private sectors to work towards that goal together. Foreign partners are invited as well,” Vice Minister G. Jeglinskas said at the meeting.
G. Jeglinskas and his delegation also met with Director General of the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration Lt Gen Göran Mårtensson to discuss military capabilities developed by both countries and to assess potential areas of cooperation.
Vice Minister and the delegation also visited the Defence Staff of the Swedish Armed Forces were they received an in-depth briefing logistical capabilities used in the Swedish Armed Forces, capabilities of the seaport and their dual use.
Photo credits: Embassy of Sweden
