August 17-18, Lt Gen Arvydas Pocius, Chief of Defence of Lithuania, and delegation will attend conference Enduring Partnerships organised by the United States European Command (EUCOM) in Garmisch, Germany.
The event is foreseen to be attended by CHODs of 22 European countries participating in the State Partnership Programme and commanders of National Guard of 22 states of the USA.
Moderator of the event will be Adm James Stavridis, Commander EUCOM and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
The main attention of the conference will be focused on discussions over crisis management and humanitarian assistance.
The goal of the conference is to improve cooperation among the countries in the programme, and assess the capabilities necessary in the sectors of humanitarian assistance and crisis management in the region of Europe. The event is also expected to provide a framework for regional crisis management strategies, to share experience, discuss possible shortfalls and dangers in every region.
Lithuanian Chief of Defence will be accompanied by Col Vilmantas Tamošaitis, Chief of Joint Headquarters, and Col Artūras Račkauskas (internal service), Deputy Head of Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the Interior.
Lithuania has been participating in the State Partnership Programme since in 1993 through active cooperation with the Pennsylvania National Guard. The Pennsylvania National Guard organises courses and seminars for representatives of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, delegates instructors and observers to exercises in Lithuania. Lithuanian servicemembers are also invited to attend exercises, join instructor training programmes and other events in Pennsylvania.
The delegation is expected to return to Lithuania on August 19.
PIO for the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Capt Skomantas Povilionis, cell phone 00370 8 682 25359
