On March 30-April 1 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Major General Jonas Vytautas Žukas conducted a formal visit to Portugal. During the visit the Lithuanian Chief of Defence met with Defence Minister of Portugal Dr. José Pedro Correia de Aguiar-Branco, Chief of Defence General Artur Neves Pina Monteiro, and commanders of services of the Portuguese Armed Forces.
"I estimate this was a very efficient and warm visit. I was honoured with top-level consideration and respect in all of its phases. Sharing information on regional security and familiarising with the current situation in the Portuguese Armed Forces, its present day challenges and solutions, and plans of further development was absolutely beneficial," Major General Jonas Vytautas Žukas said after the visit.
During the meetings with Portugal's' defence leadership the Lithuanian Chief of Defence discussed opportunities for further bilateral military cooperation, implementation of the NATO Readiness Action Plan, NATO missions in Afghanistan, the Islamic State in Iraq and contribution in Africa. The Chief of Defence also paid visit to the Defence Ministry of Portugal, the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Land Force and the Air Force HQ, and the 5th Air Base of the Portuguese Air Force in Monte Real. According to MG J.V.Žukas, he closed the visit by inviting his Portuguese counterpart to repay a visit as soon as this summer.
The Chiefs of Defence also plan, specifically, the establishment of the NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) in Lithuanian and both countries' prospective contributions to the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) which is being newly formed.
According to the Chief of Defence, Portugal's active involvement is solving security problems in our region is highly appreciated. Even though Portugal is a geographically distant country it contributes to military cooperation projects in our region actively: in 2007 and last year it deployed fighter aircraft for the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission, and a company-sized land force unit is currently deployed for combined training in Lithuania, and provided opportunities for members of the Lithuanian Air Force to improve their qualification in Portugal.
The previous visit of the Chief of Defence and the Minister of Defence of Portugal in Lithuania took place on November 5 last year.
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence Captain Mindaugas Neimontas
Office phone no. 00370 5 278 5091, mobile phone no. 00370 682 25359, e-mail: mindaugas.neimontas@mil.lt
