At Klaipėda port, the President together with Defence Minister Juozas Olekas, Chief of Defence Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius and Flotilla Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the Lithuanian Naval Force Kęstutis Macijauskas discussed the readiness of the armed forces to respond to violations of the state border at sea.
"The Lithuanian Navy together with NATO allies are ready to ensure security in the Baltic region. Faced with Russia's openly demonstrated military power and naval exercises in breach of international agreements, Lithuania highly values the Alliance's prompt decision to strengthen capabilities in the region. It is a proof of real defence guarantees for Lithuania and for the whole Baltic region," the President said.
On Wednesday, the President visited the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Zokniai to see how NATO's permanent air policing mission was carried out in the Baltic States. To enhance the surveillance and protection of Lithuania's airspace, the United States sent to Lithuania six additional F-15 fighter jets.
Dalia Grybauskaitė underlined that even more active NATO exercises both on land and at sea were needed to ensure stability in the region.
During her visit to the Lithuanian Navy, the President viewed the command and support ship Jotvingis and Hunt Class mine countermeasures vessel Kuršis. She was also interested in the preparedness of the underwater action team.
The Lithuanian Navy contributes to NATO's standing mine countermeasures vessel flotilla and immediate reaction forces.
