“The surge of illegal migrants into Lithuania from Belarus is an act of hybrid aggression created by the Alexander Lukashenko regime, we take it very seriously and we are taking deterrence measures in active coordination with other authorities,” says Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.
In the face of the hybrid aggression, the Ministry of National Defence is providing assistance in solving the situation on the border and rallies allied support. At the moment the Baltic Ministries of Defence engage in a particularly intense cooperation: Defence Ministers shave agreed to hold meetings at MoD expert-level via tele videoconference weekly to discuss joint actions in response to the hybrid operation and the oncoming Exercise Zapad-21.
Close cooperation with the Polish Ministry of National Defence is also ongoing. The Baltic and the Polish Defence Minister agree about the need to coordinate the response to the situation on the border internationally. EU and NATO allies are expressing solidarity and have shown on many occasions that they stand ready to assist.
“We are supported internationally in the face of the migrant crisis and we continue seeking such support. Such allied response as well communicates to the Belarusian regime that we are not alone and therefore we strong enough to withstand whatever attempts to cause turmoil,” says Minister A. Anušauskas.
The Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs collaborate on providing updates to NATO allies concerning the situation and potential risks on the Lithuanian border. The Ministry of National Defence also represents the requirements voiced by the Ministry of the Interior to EU and NATO Defence Ministries.
At the moment, the migrant crisis on the border is handled by the State Border Guard Service officers with assistance from Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and Estonian colleagues. Different European countries also continually donate humanitarian necessities – tents, beds, etc.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces continuously increases human and material resource assistance on the border as requested by the Ministry of the Interior. The assistance comprises patrolling border crossing points (mobile patrols, mobile security posts, MP crews), tent villages and storage tents and maintenance, razor-wire fencing, and security in the migrant accommodation sites.
Moreover, amendments to the law drafted by the Ministry of National Defence were approved by the Government and relayed for approval at the Seimas earlier this week. The amendments give specific rights and additional mandate to Lithuanian military in case of an emergency.
