On 6 September Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) General Richard Shirreff conducting a visit in Lithuania met with Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius, Vice Minister of National Defence Marijus Velička and representatives of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The working meetings addressed long-run points of the Baltic Air Policing mission, exercises in the Baltic Region, and multinational operations.
The guest was briefed on the capabilities Lithuania maintained in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan as well as ongoing Lithuania's consultations with the allies regarding further involvement in Afghanistan. Gen R. Shirreff thanked Lithuania for the contribution it was making in Afghanistan and noted that the job done by the already closed Provincial Reconstruction Team and the troops still serving in the south of Afghanistan was highly valued and appreciated.
At the meetings the importance and perspectives of NATO exercises held in the Baltic Region were also discussed. According to General R. Shirreff, the STEADFAST JAZZ 2013 exercise due to take place in the Baltics this year reflected NATO's collective defence commitment in the region. The General also emphasised that NATO needed to arrange training events on a regular basis so that the interoperability developed during multinational operations was preserved.
When addressing NATO's Air Policing mission in the Baltic States Lithuania's representatives thanked NATO allies for their long-term commitment in the region. In his turn, Gen R. Shirreff stressed that the mission was an excellent example of Smart Defence and praised the Host Nation Support Lithuania was delivering.
The DSACEUR serves at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) based in Mons, Belgium.
Photos by Ieva Budzeikaitė
