Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius is paying a visit in Finland on May 6 through 8. The Lithuanian Chief of Defence met with Chief of Defence of Finland General Ari Puheloinen and representatives of the Finnish Defence Forces in Helsinki.
At a meeting at the Army Headquarters of Finland the Chiefs of Defence discussed matters related to the Common Security and Defence Policy, possible cooperation in military personnel training, and exchanged experience in the field of mobilisation. General Puheloinen also presented to the Lithuanian Chief of Defence the reform of the Finnish Defence Forces.
General Pocius laid flowers at the Tomb for the Unknown Soldier of Finland and at the grave of General Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim thus paying tribute to the victims of the fight for Finland's freedom.
On May 7 Chief of Defence Lt Gen A.Pocius paid a visit to Kainuu Brigade of the Finnish Army based in Kajaani and its military training grounds.
During the visit the Lithuanian Chief of Defence also met with Minister of Defence of Finland Carl Haglund.
Lithuania and Finland cooperate intensely in defence area, Lithuanian and Finnish military personnel train in multinational exercises hosted by either of the countries. The Lithuanian Armed Forces have acquired from Finland Sisu E11T 8x8 high mobility multipurpose combat supply trucks while Finland has delegated a military instructor to the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) in Tartu (Estonia).
Having received Finland's invitation to join the Nordic military instructors team being formed for the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) this year, Lithuania has nominated two military instructors for the unit.
POC: Spokesperson to the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Capt Skomantas Povilionis, cell phone 00370 682 25359.
Photos by the Finnish Defence Forces
