On February 22-24 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas conducted a formal visit to Italy. He discussed topical aspects of bilateral and multilateral (NATO and EU) cooperation with Chief of the Defence Staff of the Italian Armed Forces General Claudio Graziano and other representatives of the Italian military.
The Lithuanian Chief of Defence was formally welcomed at the Italian Army General Staff Headquarters in Rome, the ceremony was followed by a bilateral meeting between the Lithuanian and the Italian Chiefs of Defence and Lithuanian delegation's visit to the Italian Army Joint Operations Headquarters.
At the meeting Gen C. Graziano and Lt Gen J. V. Žukas addressed security situation in the Baltic and the Mediterranean regions, NATO's enhance forward presence in the Baltic states, and multinational operations where Lithuanian and Italian soldiers serve together - Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and EU Naval Force-Mediterranean - Operation Sophia.
"The Lithuanian and the Italian Armed Forces have quite many points of contacts: our soldiers train side by side in exercises, take part in multinational operations and courses, and learn from each other professionally and expand their horizon. We should proceed with it and exploit the potential as much as possible," Lithuanian Chief of Defence said.
The Chiefs of Defence also exchanged views on the prospects of closer EU-NATO cooperation on the basis of the EU-NATO joint declaration agreed on at the NATO Summit in Warsaw on July 8, 2016, and discussed further cooperation on the basis of the Transatlantic Capability Enhancement and Training (TACET). The initiative allows personnel of the Lithuanian Air Force and Navy improve qualification in various military specialist courses in Italy.
At the meeting Gen C. Graziano presented LT Gen J.V.Žukas with a Commendation Medal of the Italian General Defence Staff for his personal contribution and dedication to strengthening bilateral Lithuanian-Italian military cooperation.
"I am grateful to the Italian Chief of the Defence Staff and soldiers for a lasting benevolent cooperation, professionalism, and for the respect and hospitality I have felt throughout this visit," Lt Gen J. V. Žukas said at the decoration ceremony.
During the visit at the Italian Armey Joint Operations Headquarters its Chief ice Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone and other representatives presented to the Lithuanian Chief of Defence the activities pursued by the HQ, contribution of the Italian Armed Forces to international operations, readiness to lead the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) in 2018, and support to police during emergencies.
Lithuanian and Italian militaries have been developing cooperation of different forms and scopes for over 17 years.
Photos: www.difesa.it
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence Maj Mindaugas Neimontas
00370 5 278 5091, 00370 682 25359, e-mail: mindaugas.neimontas@mil.lt
