"Development of joint capabilities is intrinsic to the assurance measures currently implemented in our country by NATO allies as well as to the implementation of the Readiness Action Plan. Germany, as well as other parties to the group, are actively involved in the multinational exercises taking place in Lithuania, the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission, their warships are assigned to Standing NATO Group on standby in the Baltic Sea. I am certain that this initiative will facilitate a more efficient use of different countries' defence capabilities and experience for the common security in the region," Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas said.
Members of the group have committed to developing capabilities in such areas as logistics, air defence, reconnaissance systems, medical support, etc. This is a smart defence-based cooperation where countries are pooling resources to generate capabilities that would be too much of a challenge for any of them alone. A cooperation of this type also provides an opportunity for the participating countries to prepare for joint operations, including those of defensive character.
The countries participating in the project have also agreed on one of the priority areas for cooperation as determined by the contemporary security situation, which is strengthening of those NATO measures that enable a speedier response to the changed security situation in the Eastern Europe and enhancement of defence and deterrence in the region.
The Germany-led group for developing common defence capabilities was created at the NATO Summit in Wales in 2014 and is based on the Framework Nations Concept approved there. With Lithuania and five more new members aboard, the group now includes 16 Nordic and Eastern European allies.
On June 24-25 Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas is attending the NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels.
