On May 16 Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas met with Federal Minister of Defence of Germany Boris Pistorius in Berlin.
Lithuanian and German Ministers dedicated their first meeting to the most pressing defence issues: preparation for stationing the German brigade in Lithuania, planning of establishment of a Lithuanian national division, acquisition plans, and assistance to Ukraine.
“Germany is our strategic partner. We are grateful for Germany’s leadership and commitments to strengthen the Baltic security. Our agreement to station a German brigade is vital to Lithuania. Public opinion polls in our country indicate that nearly 70% of respondents see Germany as the Lithuania’s most important strategic Ally. The strong public support is also a reflection of our dedication to offer all the needed conditions for the stationed German military,” Minister of National Defence emphasized to his colleague.
Ministers also discussed implementation of the Roadmap for the German brigade deployment: arrival of the headquarters initial command element a month ago, preparations for the signature of an international agreement, progress on implementation of other agreements. L. Kasčiūnas briefed German Minister on Lithuania’s ambition to develop a national infantry division, accelerate procurement, increase defence spending, and the concept of total defence. He highlighted the planned purchases from German companies and German investments in Lithuania in the area of defence industry.
“Lithuanian Government institutions signed a Letter of Intent with the German defence industry company Rheinmetall a month ago to start constructions of a 155 mm ammunition factory in Lithuania. It is a significant break-through for our aspiration to develop the defence industry and yet another meaningful aspect of strengthening bilateral German-Lithuanian relations. Such investments certainly increase deterrence and facilitate interoperability between Lithuanian and the German militaries,” said L. Kasčiūnas while encouraging more German defence industry business to invest in Lithuania.
The officials also discussed opportunities for more cooperation on cybersecurity. The Lithuanian Armed Forces is establishing a Cyber Defence Command for installation and integration of strategic and operational level communications and information systems, in which endeavor the German experience might accelerate the process, therefore Minister invited the country for bilateral talks and to joint training exercises, as well as other projects.
Later on, Ministers of Defence addressed the assistance to Ukraine, the urgent need for immediate decisions to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence. Lithuanian Minister assured of Lithuania’s decision to contribute to an urgent air support initiative and Capability Coalition Integrated Air and Missile Defense led by Germany and thanked Germany for taking part in the Demining Coalition in the meanwhile.
When discussing the upcoming NATO Summit in Warsaw, Lithuania’s expectation was expressed that the regional defence plans and the Rotational Air Defence Model are approved. Minister L. Kasčiūnas invited his German counterpart to attend the Baltic and the Northern Group Defence Ministers’ meetings in Palanga next week on May 21-23 in Palanga.
On May 17 L. Kasčiūnas continues the formal visit trip to Latvia.