EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Security

Ursula von der Leyen and Dalia Grybauskaite. Vilnius, 14.05.2015. Photo: lrp.lt

The President underlined that the visit of one of the most influential political figures in Germany to Lithuania sent a clear message that Germany as a NATO ally is strongly committed to the Alliance’s collective defense obligations.

“The unity and solidarity of NATO allies is the best response to security challenges. Lithuania and Germany actively cooperate in implementing NATO’s collective defense and deterrence measures,” the President said.

In April a rotating German infantry company has arrived in Lithuania which will participate in joint exercises with the Iron Wolf brigade in June. Germany will also send companies to the military exercises that will take place in July and November and will delegate its officers to the NATO command and control units in the Baltic States, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary.

Germany actively contributes to the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltics: it has deployed already six mission rotations and intends to send additional fighter jets to reinforce the mission this year.

The President and the Defense Minister exchanged views on measures to fight propaganda and disinformation. According to the President, EU and NATO member states must work together to prevent the misleading of their citizens and ensure access only to objective information. This is also important for Germany with the Russian speaking population of around five million.

Among the other issues discussed at the meeting were possibilities for the Lithuanian Armed Forces to acquire German military equipment.