The Lithuanian Land Force will preside over the European Territorial Defence Regional Cooperation Initiative (ETC) this year, a platform for exchange of experience in territorial defence military leadership delegates from nearly 20 countries. On May 6 Commander of the Lithuanian Land Forces formally took over the European Territorial Defence Regional Cooperation Initiative presidency from Commander of the Bundeswehr Homeland Defence Command Lt Gen André Bodemann at a meeting in Vilnius.
Brig Gen Artūras Radvilas welcomed the prospect of hosting the 6th ETC Conference in Lithuania. “I trust that the event will become a properly targeted message to the East about our readiness and close experience sharing to safeguard our territories against any potential aggression. We need plenty of discussions about it in light of the complex regional geopolitical and security situation, especially in the Baltic states, as well as practical cooperation with the Allies, in the military area, taking into account the challenges our countries are facing,” said Brig Gen A. Radvilas after the hand-over ceremony. “We are a small country surrounded by unpredictable neighbors: however, we have what to offer in security area to the Allies who are not confronted with such challenges. We are facing new threats currently, including hybrid, as well as cyber-attacks. We have to join force to investigate the threat and build readiness against it. All the countries are pursuing it individually but we need to combine forces, find solutions to shared security issues and discuss it at the Conference,” said Brig Gen A. Radvilas.
Commander of the Bundeswehr Homeland Defence Command Lt Gen André Bodemann said he looked forward to constructive discussion at the Conference this autumn.
“I look forward to interesting and constructive discussions on the role of Territorial Defence Forces and readiness along the NATO borderline with Russia. The European Territorial Defence Regional Cooperation Initiative Conference to be hosted by Lithuania this fall is a demonstration of the excellent cooperation between our nations and armed forces, it is also a symbol of our mutual plans to have a German brigade stationed in Lithuania shortly,” underscored Lt Gen André Bodemann
Held for six years in a different country every time, the sixth European Territorial Defence Regional Cooperation Initiative Conference, ETC-6, will take place in Vilnius this October but preparations are beginning right away. According to Deputy Chair of the Conference Commander of the National Defence Volunteer Force Col Darius Vaicikauskas, conference participants will discuss running affairs and challenges of territorial defence.
“Highlights of ETC-6 are the Baltic perspective – security situation in the region, relevant topics of territorial defence, public resilience and level of readiness for defence, approach of the younger generation,” sad Col Darius Vaicikauskas after the Commanders met.
The sixth European Territorial Defence Regional Cooperation Initiative Conference will aim to promote dialogue on territorial fence and develop a mutual European approach between commanders of sister forces.
Nineteen European countries have been invited to attend ETC-6: Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Norway, Netherland, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Finland, Croatia, Ireland, Germany. Other counties willing to participate are Canada and the United States National Guard Directorate, including top command of the 28th Division of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the U.S. Army V Corps, while Israel, Romania, Republic of Slovakia and Ukraine are willing to attend on observers rights.
Info credits: NDVF
Photo credits: Cpl Michail Lysenko
