On April 15-16 Chiefs of Defence of the three Baltic states convened at the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) in Tartu, Estonia, and had a roundtable discussion with the students. BALTDEFCOL trains officers, sergeant majors and civilian personnel from key governance positions from NATO and the Allies.
Chief of Defence of Lithuania General Raimundas Vaikšnoras, Chief of Defence of Latvia Major General Kaspars Pudāns and Chief of Defence of Estonia Major General Andrus Merillo were welcomed by Brigadier General Alvydas Šiuparis, Lithuanian officer in command of the Baltic Defence College since 2023.
The roundtable discussion on “Key Challenges in Implementing a Defence Policy” with the Higher Command Studies Course (HCSC) and the Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC) students was the highlight of the visit.
General R. Vaikšnoras also met with Lithuanian military officers studying at BALTDEFCOL and presented plans of development and future course of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. General noted that the new knowledge the officers would bring back after the studies and service at BALTDEFCOL would be applicable in practice in everyday service.
The Baltic CHODS meeting highlights the role of cooperation amidst the geopolitical tensions in the region. The meeting and the discussion has strengthened the regional cooperation and encourage considering common strategies to ensure security and stability in the Baltic region.
Photo credits: BALTDEFCOL.
