“Lithuania appreciates the contribution that Poland makes to our security – close cooperation with Poland is important for enhancing Lithuania’s security and defence,” said Linkevičius.
According to Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Poland’s active participation in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission shows that the country is willing to continue to significantly engage in regional security affairs.
The lead in the mission was taken over for the seventh time by the Polish Air Force in early May. Poland participates in the mission more often than other NATO members.
The meeting focused on NATO summit to be held on 25 May. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister drew attention to the huge importance of transatlantic relations in the context of current challenges and threats.
“A strong transatlantic relationship is vitally important to our security and well-being. The upcoming NATO summit will focus mainly on this issue”, said Linkevičius.
The Polish and Lithuanian representatives agreed that there was a need to continue to maintain close relations with the U.S. administration, to strengthen military cooperation, and to aim at greater U.S. involvement in ensuring the region’s security.
The National Security Bureau, which has been headed by Soloch since 7 August 2015, provides aid and support to the President of Poland in executing security and defence tasks. The purpose of the visit of the Polish representatives is to exchange information on security situation in the region, to acquaint themselves with the regional threat assessment by Lithuanian representatives, and to discuss bilateral cooperation.
During his visit to Lithuania, Soloch also met with Advisors to the President of Lithuania and the Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis. The Polish delegation visited also the Lithuanian Air Force Aviation Base in Šiauliai and the Polish Air Force soldiers, who are participating in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission.
