The Baltic Ministries of Defence will continue and foster a close coordination and cooperation on defence policy between the countries. “The trilateral Baltic cooperation is visible in such, larger formats as NATO, EU, cooperation with the U.S. Only when we speak in one voice can we achieve better and more favourable results, ensure effective deterrence, and support , both mutual and from our allies,” said Minister A. Anušauskas.
Minister stressed that Lithuania would focus on strengthening capabilities, particularly, regional air defence, maritime situational awareness, and of the Special Operations Forces, in order to ensure a strong continued deterrence and enhanced defence.
The Baltic Defence Ministers underscored the importance of cooperation with the new Administration of the United States and coordinated national positions ahead of the upcoming NATO Defence Ministerial due later this month.
Areas of the most intense Baltic defence cooperation are joint officer training at the Baltic Defence College, NATO Air Policing, naval forces, joint exercises. The countries also synchronise capability planning, coordinate joint procurement, organise joint training events, exercises, seminars, and carry out cooperation of individual armed services.
Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Defence, and Chiefs of Defence Staffs of the Baltic states meet on a biannual basis, Defence Policy Directors, Commanders of the Land Forces, Navies, Air Forces, Special Operations Forces, and experts of different levels meet regularly as well.
The Baltic Defence Cooperation is chaired by Lithuania in 2021, in 2022 the presidency will rotate to Estonia, and in 2023 – to Latvia.