“We are grateful to the European Union for the solidarity we have received so far. We urge to take further, swift and decisive steps regarding Belarus. If we fail to do that, the Belarusian regime will only arrange more provocations and incidents,” said Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas who is in attendance at the Foreign Affairs Council on Defence in Brussels on November 15 – 16.
Minister A. Anušauskas underscored to his EU counterparts that the hybrid attack by Belarus on the EU required concerted efforts and cohesion from EU member so that European stability and security was preserved. A. Anušauskas also highlighted the importance of the EU-NATO practical cooperation.
“We have already experienced in practice how the two organisations can complement each other and be effective using their existing instruments. I am referring to the Frontex support and the NATO Counter Hybrid Support Team which was dispatched to Lithuania back in September. It is a demonstration of the importance of further strengthening and development of the EU-NATO cooperation in the spirit of openness and complementarity,” said A. Anušauskas.
Minister hinted that the mentoring and training mission in Ukraine could serve as one more opportunity for strengthening the cooperation between the two organisations. According to A. Anušauskas, Lithuania’s allies had to support Ukraine’s resolve to carry out the defence reform because that would have decisive implications to the security and stability of the whole of Europe, not just Ukraine.
The EU Defence Ministers discussed current affairs and European Union training missions, and European Peace Facility support measures at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Defence. A joint session with the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers addressed draft EU Strategic Compass.
Agreements prepared by the Lithuanian-chaired European Defence Agency working group on simplification of procedures regulating military movement in the air and on land were also signed.
Courtesy photo of the European Council – Arvydas Anušauskas and Minister of Defence of Latvia Artis Pabriks.
