On August 25, the changeover ceremony of German Defence Attaché to Lithuania was organised at the Ministry of National Defence. Vice Minister of National Defence Eimutis Misiūnas presented departing German Defence Attaché Lt Col Thorsten Fries with the Medal of Merit in recognition of his efforts in strengthening bilateral defence cooperation. The Vice Minister also wished the incoming German Defence Attaché to Lithuania Lt Col Konstantin Bellini to continue the intensive cooperation between the two countries in the fields of defence and security.
“Germany and Lithuania, as NATO allies, members of the European Union and close partners, seek to implement common values and have the same interests to make Europe stronger and more secure. The NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Lithuania is an excellent example of deterrence efforts in the eastern part of NATO,” highlighted Vice Minister E. Misiūnas.
Prior to his arrival in Lithuania, the incoming German Defence Attaché to Lithuania Lt Col K. Bellini has filled various positions in the German Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces, was a German Defence Attaché to Finland and Estonia; he also holds a Master’s degree in Political and Social Sciences. In recognition of his service, Lt Col K. Bellini has been conferred high level decorations of Bundeswehr and NATO.
“Germany’s military contribution is appreciated not only for investments in Lithuania’s military infrastructure, but also for Germany’s active participation in the NATO Air Policing Mission in Lithuania, NATO Force Integration Unit and Energy Security Centre of Excellence,” said the Deputy Minister.
Bilateral relations between Germany and Lithuania in the field of defence were established in 1994, but in recent years, the bilateral defence cooperation with Germany has intensified. The cooperation especially intensified in 2016, when at the meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government in Warsaw, Germany announced its decision to lead the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Lithuania, and the contingent of German soldiers was deployed to Lithuania at the beginning of 2017. At present, the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Lithuania involves more than 1.3 thousand troops, and more than 500 of them make up a permanent German contingent.
Germany has rotated ten contingents for the NATO Air Policing Mission, helps to modernize the Lithuanian military forces, and is investing in Lithuania’s military infrastructure.
In 2018, the Lithuanian Armed Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf, which includes the integrated NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group, was assigned to the Bundeswehr Division. This allows the armed forces of both countries to gain greater compatibility and prepare more effectively for different defence scenarios.
Lithuania remains an active and reliable Germany’s partner in international missions and operations, and currently Lithuanian soldiers are carrying out the protection of the German military base in the international operation MINUSMA in the Republic of Mali. Lithuanian soldiers together with their German counterparts participate in UN and EU operations, conduct exercises both in Lithuania and abroad.
Lithuania and Germany are also involved in academic cooperation. During 26 years of cooperation, over 400 Lithuanian soldiers graduated from various Bundeswehr training institutions.
Germany has appointed three representatives to the NATO Force Integration Unit, which started operating in Lithuania in 2015. This unit is responsible for organizing exercises for Allied forces deployed in Lithuania and for liaison between them and NATO operational headquarters. In 2017, Germany appointed several representatives to the Energy Security Centre of Excellence.
Credits: Alfredas Pliadis
