On 27 July Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Rasa Juknevičienė and Estonian Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo by phone discussed readiness of Baltic Battalion to be on duty in NATO Response Force after the information that due to extremely difficult economic situation Latvia will decrease its input into the battalion.
Lithuanian and Estonian ministers approved of the decision taken in the meeting of Baltic States' Chiefs of Defence held on 21 July to share responsibility by assigning lacking capabilities for the battalion and stressed that trilateral battalion project and readiness of the battalion to be on duty in NATO force is still priority number one of the Baltic States, as this reflects solidarity of the countries and ability to act collectively.
When Latvia reduced its input into the battalion, Lithuania undertook obligations to assign a company of soldiers and anti-tank platoon, Estonia - military police and EOD military units.
Lithuania is in command of the Baltic Battalion. Trilateral military unit has been formed in 2007 by the joint agreement of the three Baltic States. Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian armed forces then agreed to contribute the battalion an infantry company each, as well as personnel for the combat support elements of the battalion and other capabilities and units.
Baltic Battalion will start half year duty in the 14th NATO Response Force (NRF-14) at the beginning of 2010. NATO Response Force is a highly ready and technologically advanced NATO force made up of a land, air, sea and special forces components that the Alliance can deploy quickly whenever needed.
National units assigned to NATO Reaction Force are of high readiness and ready to be deployed to the site of multinational operation of a decision of NATO command to activate forces is taken.
