On May 8 Chief of Defence of Lithuania LT Gen Jonas Vytautas Žukas left for Iceland reciprocating his Icelandic counterparts visit. During the two-day visit he will meet with Director General of the Defence Directorate at Iceland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs Arnór Sigurjónsson, other high officials of the country, and visit Keflavik Airbase.
At the meeting with Iceland's top official for security, defence and military affairs A. Sigurjónsson, equivalent of a chief of defence, Lt Gen J. V. Žukas is planned to discuss regional security, prospects of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, exchange positions on various aspects of NATO agenda. Chief of Defence is also expected to brief the Icelandic side on Lithuania's defence system, armed forces capabilities and their development plans.
During the visit to Keflavik Airbase Lithuanian Chief of Defence will meet with its Commander Jόn B. Guðnason and familiarise with the activities and capabilities of the airbase.
A. Sigurjónsson conducted a formal visit to Lithuania in March 2017.
Chief of Defence is expected to return to Lithuania on May 10.
Iceland is an important and reliable partner of Lithuania, the first one to recognised our re-established independence. Our countries cooperate mainly in two multilateral security and defence formats - NATO and NB8 ( format of cooperation of eight Nordic and Baltic countries). Lithuania and the other Baltic countries are seeking a closer cooperation with the Nordic countries, including Iceland, in strengthening regional security thru the international cooperation format NORDEFCO (Nordic Defence Cooperation).
Iceland is the only NATO ally that does not have national armed forces but takes part in the shaping of the regional security environment, contributes to NATO operations financially and delegates civilian personnel. It is not the first time Lithuania and Iceland act together. In 2005-2007 Iceland had a Mobile Liaison and Observation Team of seven members in the Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Chaghcharan, province of Ghor, Afghanistan, and a civilian development cooperation specialist. Iceland also appointed a civilian officer to work at the headquarters of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Lithuania in the beginning of 2018.
Related MoD archive photo (credit: A.Pliadis) - A. Sigurjónsson on a formal visit in Vilnius, 17 March 2017.
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Maj Mindaugas Neimontas, +370 5 278 5091, +370 682 25359, mindaugas.neimontas@mil.lt
