On May 14 Vice Minister of National Defence Margiris Abukevičius discussed regional security, and bilateral and multilateral military cooperation emphasizing on the participation of the Spanish Air Force in the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states at a meeting with Ambassador of Spain to Lithuania HE Jose Maria Robles Fraga.
“Spain makes a weighty contribution to the security of the Baltic states ensured through stability and deterrence. We are very grateful for the active participation in the NATO Air Policing Mission. We are equality appreciative of the active participation of Spanish troops in military exercises in the Baltic states and for the Spanish forces deployed to the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Latvia,” said M. Abukevičius.
Spain is currently conducting its 8th rotation of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission: seven Eurofighter jets of the Spanish Air Force have been deployed to Šiauliai since early May. Spain is also scheduled to police the Baltic skies from Šiauliai again in 2022.
Vice Minister M. Abukevičius assured Ambassador of Spain that both countries had a shared view not only of the threats from the East but also from the South. Therefore Lithuania remained committed to increase national contributions to the United Nations, NATO and Europe Union international operations and missions in the South.
“We appreciate our good relations with Spain because it is vital to have close relations with all NATO members. The hard work on both, NATO and EU security and defence initiatives must continue,” stated Vice Minister M. Abukevičius.
Ambassador of Spain J. M. Robles Fraga assured that Spain understood the threats in the Baltic states region and would continue contributing to the deterrence initiatives despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Ambassador expressed is delight that the cooperation between Spain and the Baltic states was on the increase and Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez was expected to visit Lithuania in early July. It will be his first visit to the Spanish Air Force detachment conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission.
In the second semester of the year Director General for Armament and Materiel is also expected to visit Lithuania to establish closer working relations with the Ministry of National Defence and Lithuanian defence industry.
M. Abukevičius also named the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence and closer ties in the area of cybersecurity as potential areas for further bilateral cooperation with Spain.
Photo credits: A. Pliadis/MoD.
