The Ministry of National Defence has put forward a proposal to form a Commission headed by Prime Minister in order to ensure coordination of preparations for the stationing of a German brigade in Lithuania. The Commission would comprise the majority of the Ministers’ Cabinet.
“We have to acquire the ambition to develop proper conditions for transferring and stationing the German brigade in Lithuania as soon as possible. It is a mutual goal of all national institutions, therefore we are launching an initiative to form a Governmental Commission in order to ensure that it is implemented smoothly. We will be convening based on the requirement to discuss the progress, challenges and solutions in preparation for hosting the German brigade,” says Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.
The Commission will be complemented by a Working Group formed by the Minister of National Defence of the Ministerial Chancellors or the Vice Ministers and headed by the Chancellor of the Ministry of National Defence The Working Group will handle the issues concerning accessibility of civilian infrastructure and services for the permanent presence of the German brigade.
“As a project primarily of the Federal Ministry of Defence and the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence, we will preserve the leadership in coordination of the project with Germany; however, involvement of the other Ministries in vital as numerous questions are in other areas of competence that of the Ministry of National Defence. Efficient inter-institutional decision-making will be critical,” says Minister of National Defence A. Anušauskas.
Ministers of Defence of Lithuania and Germany will shortly sign an implementation action plan to lay out both countries’ intents concerning the presence of a German brigade in Lithuania and further course of the deployment.
Germany has made a commitment to station a heavy brigade with three maneuver battalions and all necessary enablers, including combat support and supply units, in Lithuania.
The Brigade will be made up of existing and brand new units. The 203rd Panzer Battalion based in North Rhine-Westphalia and the 122nd Armored Infantry Battalion currently based in Bavaria will be moved to Lithuania. The enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Lithuania will be transformed into a multinational battalion and become an integral part of the brigade.