The incoming officer was congratulated by Vice Minister of National Defence Vytautas Umbrasas, representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and the Lithuanian Armed Forces. In his statement Vice Minister praised shared countries’ values and the partnership of increasing importance since Montenegro’s NATO accession in 2017 and its further aspirations of membership in the Community. “As a relatively small country in an unsettled region, we understand perfectly well a people’s resolve to seek freedom and the challenges that come together with the efforts to protect it,” Vice Minister Vytautas Umbrasas said at the ceremony.
Vice Minister V. Umbrasas also underscored Montenegro’s contribution to the security of the Western Balkans and the importance of the countries’ cooperation in NATO and EU missions. Vice Minister wished to Lt Col E. Gašanin positive challenges and bilateral relations in military area between Lithuania and Montenegro that would become even closer.
Lt Col E. Gašanin graduated from the Air Force Academy, defence staff college in Germany, served across various positions in the Montenegrin Armed Forces relate to the Air Force before the current appointment.
The Defence Attaché of Montenegro to Lithuania will be based in Berlin, Germany.
Lithuania and Montenegro cooperate in defence area on the basis of an agreement signed by the Ministries of Defence of Lithuania and Montenegro in 2013. By signing the document the countries agreed to cooperate on democratic control of armed forces, legal basis for the development of armed forces, defence policy and strategy, defence planning and finance, etc., within the interest of both countries.
Lithuania supports the military aspect of Montenegro’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures.
