On February 25 Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas took part in the roundtable discussion organised by the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Parliament on “Brexit: Challenges and Opportunities for Lithuania”. Minister expressed his views on further cooperation with the UK in the area of security and defence.
“The United Kingdom is and will be an exceptional ally and partner of Lithuania and our entire region. Brexit has not changed this attitude,” Minister A. Anušauskas stressed at the meeting.
He underscored that bilateral security and defence cooperation with the UK was continuously and intensely developed by both sides and strengthened the security of the Baltic region. “We particularly appreciate the form decision of the Government of the United Kingdom to make significant contributions to the security in the Baltic Sea region, as perfectly exemplified by its participation in the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states, NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Estonia and Poland,” A. Anušauskas said.
The discussion also focussed on the way ahead for the bilateral Lithuanian-UK relations, the opportunities of business contacts for innovation, and status of Lithuanian citizens living in the United Kingdom. The event was attended by politicians, ambassadors, political scientists, analysts, representatives of the academic community, business, NGOs, public authorities and the media.
About security and defence cooperation between Lithuania and the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is one of Lithuania’s main strategic partners in the fields of security and defence. Lithuania and the UK are in close cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral NATO, Northern Group formats. Lithuania also participates in the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) formed by 9 European countries, able to deploy more than 10,000 troops to fight today’s threats and thus to contribute to the increase of security in Lithuania and the entire region and strengthening of European military capabilities.
The United Kingdom contributed significantly to the development of Lithuania’s military training system Lithuania soldiers study at various military education institutions in the UK (e.g., Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Joint Services Command and Staff College, Cranfield University, London King’s College).
. Lithuanian military personnel and employees of the national defence system have studied and improved their skills in various educational institutions of the UK defence system. Lithuanian military personnel together with UK soldiers participate in multinational operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, in international exercises abroad, Lithuanian train in exercises in the United Kingdom and the British – in multinational military exercises in Lithuania.
Royal Air Force detachments have been carrying out the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission in support of security in the Baltic region since 2004. The UK is the framework nation of the multinational NATO eFP Battalion Battle Group in Estonia and has a contingent in the U.S.-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Poland.
Photo credit: Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
