“We have an interest to continue bilateral defence cooperation with our Eastern partners, Armenia too, so that we can assist the countries in their implementation of western defence-oriented reforms and Armenia in its development of cooperation with NATO and European Union,” Minister J.Olekas said at the meeting.
Ministers J.Olekas and S. Ohanyan addressed security situations in their respective regions.
“Please accept my condolences over the tensions and combat actions that flared up in Nagorno-Karabakh and claimed lives of civilians and of soldiers in early April. It will not be easy to find a solution for the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh but we have and will always uphold peaceful solutions achieved through negotiations,” Minister J.Olekas said.
Minister J.Olekas underscored that the security situation in Lithuania and the whole of Europe was and still is influenced by the Russian actions in Ukraine. “NATO has taken decisions in Warsaw on forward presence in the region which are very important to us,” Minister J.Olekas said.
Minister J.Olekas expressed support to the cooperation between Armenia and NATO and invited Armenia to step cooperation with the EU. “We wish to encourage you to avail of the opportunity given by the Lithuanian MoD-administered Trust Fund for helping EaP countries get involved in the EU Common Security and Defence Policy and to apply for funding to take part in EU events or multinational missions and operations.
Minister J.Olekas also pointed out that the contribution Armenia was making to NATO-led missions and operations was valued and important, and encouraged the country to contribute to EU-led missions and operations as well.
The Lithuanian Minister of National Defence agreed with his Armenian counterpart that Lithuania will continue providing assistance to Armenia in the area of military training , which means, invitation of Armenian officers and NCOs to study at the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Division General Stasys Raštikis Lithuanian Armed Forces School, and MD Jonas Basanavičius Military Medical Service.
Minister of Defence of Armenia S. Ohanyan will be in Lithuania from July 12 to 14. The official will also pay visits to the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, MD Jonas Basanavičius Military Medical Service in Kaunas, Division General Stasys Raštikis Lithuanian Armed Forces School, and the Lithuanian Great Hetman Jonušas Radvila Training Regiment.
Defence cooperation between Lithuania and Armenia is based on a bilateral agreement endorsed in 2002.
Lithuania supports Armenia in the area of military training by inviting Armenian officers to study at the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania and the Baltic Defence College in Estonia and covering the expenses. Lithuania also organises discussions and consultations on defence reform, PR, law, military cartography, medicine, NCO training, and other subjects.
