The President expressed gratitude to the King of the Netherlands for his country’s strong support and solidarity in ensuring security of Lithuania and of the entire region. The battalions of high combat readiness with troops from 20 allied states stationed in the region are the most reliable deterrence sending a clear message that NATO is strong, united and prepared to counter any threat.
More than 200 Dutch soldiers together with German troops form the core of the multinational NATO’s battle group. Currently, more than 1200 soldiers from six states serve in Lithuania.
Four multinational battalions were deployed in the Baltic states and Poland to implement the decisions of NATO’s Warsaw Summit in responding to the growing conventional threat from Russia.
Dutch troops have been repeatedly training together with Lithuanian and other allied troops to defend our country in joint military exercises and have repeatedly served in the Baltic Air Policing mission.
Lithuania and the Netherlands actively cooperate in the areas of military mobility and cyber security. Lithuania has joined a project of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), established on the Netherland’s initiative and aimed at tackling regulatory and infrastructure related barriers, which hamper rapid mobility of military forces and equipment in Europe. It is especially important for Lithuania as rapid arrival of military reinforcement in the event of crisis would be ensured.
The Netherlands have joined PESCO’s task force led by Lithuania aimed at establishing cyber rapid response force.
