As reported by the Presidency, the heads of state also discussed bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and Germany, regional security and defense issues, further response to Russian aggression in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.
The President congratulated Germany on the decision to start deploying a military brigade in Lithuania already in 2024.
“The transfer of the German heavy brigade to Lithuania is a key step in strengthening the security of NATO’s eastern flank and ensuring forward defense capabilities. Ensuring all the infrastructure necessary for the deployment of the brigade is a priority task of the Lithuanian Government – we all strive for this to become a success story and an example for other states in the region”, G. Nausėda said at the meeting.
The deployment of the brigade in Lithuania began to be discussed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in order to strengthen the security of the region. The front command element of the brigade is currently deployed in the country.
Earlier in November, the German Ministry of Defense announced that the core of the German brigade in Lithuania should consist of two tank battalions, while the third battalion will initially consist of a German-led NATO forward force battalion combat group.
“For some time, as you know, we could not find that final solution, but I think that here the contribution of the entire political elite – both the German political elite, the German chancellor and the German president – is really very tangible. The most important thing now, and that’s what I noted, is that these decisions be implemented as soon as possible”, said G. Nausėda in a comment released by the presidency.
Vilnius plans that most of the troops will be deployed in 2026.
G. Nausėda emphasized in Berlin that Lithuania is rapidly increasing defense investments, which will reach 2.71 percent in 2024. of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and aims to be fully prepared for the deployment of the German brigade in 2026.
“I assured that Lithuania is ready to do everything that depends on it and implement the necessary infrastructure, primarily in the military sense of the word, until 2026 inclusive. Yes, it is not a simple matter, but we have mobilized both the political will and all the resources”, the president said after the meeting.
He said that he asked the German president that “the process should really be coordinated” and that the project should be implemented as soon as possible.
The leaders of Lithuania and Germany also discussed the further response to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
G. Nausėda emphasized that the Western countries must ensure and speed up the supply of military support to Ukraine, seek the responsibility of the aggressor Russia for aggression and war crimes, expand sanctions against Russia, including companies and financial institutions operating in the fields of nuclear energy, information technology, laser industry and the financial sector.
He invited Frank-Walter Steinmeier to come to the Three Seas Initiative Summit in Vilnius in the spring of 2024.
“The Three Seas Initiative not only strengthens the economic cooperation of the states of the region, but also promotes the development of infrastructure projects, thus ensuring greater security and helping to reorient the flow of goods and services from East and West to North and South,” said G. Nausėda.
In Berlin, this evening, at the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Lithuanian leader will also participate in an informal discussion on the EU’s strategic agenda.
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2024-08-23 06:52:37
