On February 7 Vice Minister of National Defence Vytautas Umbrasas discussed regional security situation, bilateral cooperation, and shared thoughts on the agenda of the oncoming NATO Defence Ministers meeting to take place in Brussels the following week at a meeting with Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Estonia Kristjan Prikk.
V. Umbrasas also discussed the most recent National Threat Assessment presented by Lithuania’s intelligence institutions over a working lunch with his Estonian counterpart.
“Both Lithuania and Estonia are facing similar threats, therefore it is important to share experience in facing mutual challenges, increasing public resilience, and ensuring security of our countries,” Vice Minister of National Defence said.
The delegation of the Ministry of Defence of Estonia also met with other representatives of the National Defence System to discuss Lithuanian and Estonian contributions to international operations, development of national and multilateral capabilities, cooperation with allies, and integration of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Lithuania, shared experience and the current situation.
Cooperation with the other Baltic states is one of the main Lithuania’s international cooperation priorities. The most active cooperation takes place in air policing, air surveillance, navies, Baltic Defence College activities, and joint training. Trilateral and bilateral projects have been underway for years now as well: the BALTNET Future Configuration which was inaugurated on January 1, 2020, BALTRON (2B), BALDEFCOL, BALTFOR, B-CJSE, a SOF coordination element, efforts to develop a maritime awareness capability. The two countries also intensely coordinate defence planning, synchronize capability planning, coordinate joint procurements, hold joint exercises, training, workshops, cooperation is developed between Armed Forces services.
Photo credit: G. Maksimovicz
