General S. Farina pointed out that the increase of Lithuania’s defence budget is nearly the best instance in the Alliance of taking the security situation seriously. According to the General, other measures Lithuania has taken to safeguard its security, such as investments into Host Nation Support capabilities, procurement of modern weaponry and equipment, establishment of rapid response forces, etc., deserve praising too. General S.Farina also lauded the particularly successful functioning of the NATO Force Integration Unit in Lithuania and underscored the very close and efficient cooperation with other countries in the region which facilitates excellent achievements.
Minister J.Olekas emphasised that Lithuania took all measures possible to strengthen national security, while NATO’s unity and resolve to take concrete assurance measures at the eastern NATO borders is an adequate response to the threats in the region.
The Minister also pointed out that Lithuania had an interest in the security and stability throughout Europe therefore it took seriously the threats arising not only in the Baltic but also in the southern region. “We have to begin thinking not only about Lithuanian or Greek security issues but about protection of Alliance borders, and to act accordingly,” Minister J. Olekas.
Minister J.Olekas also underscored Lithuania’s commitment to collective NATO efforts. “We have committed 550 soldiers to the NATO Response Force and the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force this year. We also plan to step up our contribution to NATO operations,” J. Olekas said.
Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen J. V. Žukas and the JFC Commander addressed actions needed to ensure preparedness for deploying NATO units by external NATO borders, and to implemented the decision to be taken at the NATO Summit in Warsaw.
The Commander of the Joint Force Command Brunssum also visited the NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) at the Lithuanian Armed Forces Joint Staff HQ and signed an agreement on a speedier and more fluent arrival of NATO forces into the territory of Lithuania with Head of Operations and acting Chief of the Joint Staff Colonel Raimundas Vaikšnoras. The document includes technical detail, commitment of the parties in case the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force and additional reaction forces are needed to be deployed in the territory of Lithuania.
Gen S. Farina assumed command of JFC Brunssum (the Netherlands). Along with two other NATO commands in Naples (Italy) and Lisbon (Portugal), JFC Brunssum is an operational NATO command subordinate to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (Mons, Belgium).
The Joint Force Command Brunssum is responsible for providing command and control to the Resolute Support Mission, NATO Response Force (NRF), and development of the NATO the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force. Besides that, it ensures cohesion between NATO structures of command and force, does operational planning for NATO collective defence operations, and planning and coordination for the Baltic Air Policing Mission.
