Today, September 26, Federal Minister of Defence of Germany Boris Pistorius presented to the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania the intergovernmental agreement on defence cooperation signed with Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas in Berlin two weeks ago. The agreement which outlines the legal framework for permanently stationing the German brigade in Lithuania today was presented for ratification at the Seimas.
“We are taking every step needed to ensure the German Brigade is moved to Lithuania smoothly. It is noteworthy that Lithuania is strongly united politically on the matter; both the ruling and opposition party fully support the project of stationing the Brigade in Lithuania and its implementation as soon as possible. An absolute majority of population, as much as 85%, approve of the Brigade stationing as well,” says Minister of National Defence L. Kasčiūnas.
L. Kasčiūnas reaffirmed that all territories and areas dedicated to the German Brigade would remain in the possession of the Republic of Lithuania.
“The military territories and sites of the Republic of Lithuania provided to the German Brigade Litauen will be used with consent of the Republic of Lithuania only in full respect of its sovereignty and legislation. The Rūdninkai Training Area where the bulk of the Brigade will serve will not change status to a foreign military base but will remain a military territory of the Republic of Lithuania available to the German Brigade, Lithuanian Armed Forces and other Allied personnel,” said L. Kasčiūnas.
Germany is not only demonstrating regional leadership but also internationally as it demonstrates a steadfast NATO security commitment. In its turn, Lithuania is fully dedicated to providing the best conditions possible to the German military personnel and their families in terms of enhancing defence infrastructure development, education, healthcare and other vital areas.
The intergovernmental agreement defines the procedure of using assigned military territories, arrival, departure and movement of the German military personnel in the Republic of Lithuania, terms of sharing jurisdiction, security considerations, establishment of education institutions and accessibility of healthcare for Bundeswehr personnel, and other issues.
The document lays out the order of arrival of German troops in Lithuania, as well as their departure, the ways they will be able to access Lithuanian military infrastructure objects, and other practical considerations. It allows for establishing military shops and mess-halls, post services, radio station, driving schools and military medical facilities for the German Allies.
As the number of German troops deploying to Lithuania are gradually mounting, they will temporarily use the infrastructure of the Lithuanian Armed Forces located in the vicinity of Vilnius: Nemenčinė and Rokantiškės. The military campus of Rokantiškės was unveiled this year offering excellent conditions for service and combat readiness building according to NATO standards. The German military will have everything they need for work and training in Rokantiškės and Nemenčinė. Servicemembers of Duke Vaidotas Infantry Battalion will be temporarily relocated from the Rokantiškės campus to Vilnius.
In December 2023 Lithuania and Germany signed a Roadmap Action Plan which continues to serve as the main guidelines for the project. The headquarters initial command element of the Brigade settled in in Vilnius in April, construction of the Rūdninkai military campus have been kicked off, other ongoing development of military civilian infrastructure continues.
Photo credit: A. Pliadis
