“Italy has had a very visible contribution in the Baltic regional security in the recent years – not only thanks to Italy’s active participation in the NATO Air Policing Mission but also in the NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia. We think highly of excellent relations among allies and their contributions to regional security,” Vice Minister M. Abukevičius underscored.
The Italian Air Force is currently conducting its fifth NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states from Šiauliai Air Base. The mission in augmented by Germany from the Amari Air Base in Estonia.
After finishing leading the NATO Air Policing Mission, Italy will continue patrolling the regional airspace with four consecutive rotations of mission augmentations. In his turn, Vice Minister of Defence of Italy G. Mule informed that the NATO Air Policing augmentation rotation starting in May would be carried out with 5th generation F-35 fighter aircraft already.
Military personnel of Italy also serve in the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Latvia.
At the meeting with G. Mule and Lt Gen G. Candotti Vice Minister stressed that Lithuania is doing its homework on strengthening national forces and has a very responsible approach to security threats and collective defence.
“It is very important for Lithuania that NATO stayed a strong and united alliance capable of responding to threats. Therefore we are making every effort to strengthen NATO and are increasing our defence financing,” Vice Minister M. Abukevičius said.
Vice Minister of Defence M. Abukevičius assure his Italian counterpart that Lithuania understood very well not only the threats from the East but also from the South, therefore Lithuanian soldiers would continue the active participation in international operations and missions in Africa.
Vice Minister M. Abukevičius praised to G. Mule the successful bilateral Lithuanian and Italian air force cooperation, Italian contribution to the NATO Force Integration Unit and NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence in Vilnius.
The defence cooperation between Lithuania and Italy is based on an intergovernmental agreement signed in 1999.