On October 28-29 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas and his counterparts from other European Union countries will discuss relevant EU security and defence issues in Brussels (Belgium) at the second meeting of the Military Committee this year.
The meeting will address the ongoing EU naval operations: operation Sophia aimed at tackling with illegal migration in the Mediterranean and Operation Atalanta combating piracy in the Indian Ocean. Also, possible expansion of the EU training and mentoring missions will be discussed in a session with attendance of Chiefs of Defence of EU partner countries - Georgia, Montenegro, Moldova, Norway and Serbia.
EU Chiefs of Defence are also expected to discuss hybrid threats using Ukraine for a case-study. Colonel General Viktor Muzhenko, Chief of Defence (Chief of General Staff) of Ukraine is expected to share insights on hybrid threats.
The meeting will close with a discussion on the prospects of NATO-EU cooperation and opportunities for improving planning and execution of military EU operations.
On October 27, prior to the meeting, Lt. Gen. J. V. Žukas is expected to pay a visit to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) based in Brussels and to meet with Lithuanian soldiers serving there.
The European Union Military Committee is the senior EU military body formed by the EU Chiefs of Defence. Established in 2001, it directs all military activities of the European Union. The EU Military Committee also provides advice to the Political and Security Committee (PSC) in charge of shaping the Common Foreign and Security Policy. The EU Chiefs of Defence gather in Brussels to take part in the EU Military Committee meetings twice a year.
Lithuania's contribution to EU operations
Lithuania takes part in two EU operations: EUTM Mali (European Union Training Mission in Mali) and EU-NAVFOR-ATALANTA (European Union Naval Force Somalia).
Instructors of the Lithuanian Armed Forces deployed to EUTM Mali since 2013 are training military forces of Mali as part of the Nordic-Baltic Training Unit formed with partners of Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Estonia. Currently, three Lithuanian soldiers are serving in Mali: two are assigned to the Training Unit and the third one serves at the EUTM Mali HQ.
Lithuania is also contributing to EU-NAVFOR-ATALANTA, counter-piracy efforts in the Indian Ocean, since 2011. Lithuania posted two officers to the operation, one to the operational headquarters (Northwood, UK), and another to the command ship of the operation. An Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) of the Lithuanian Armed Forces deployed to the operation since August (16-strong) protects a designated ship in the Indian Ocean, and 2 logistics specialists, the National Support Element (NSP) of the Lithuanian Armed Forces based in Djibouti, are in charge of the logistic provision. Another rotation of the AVPD and the NSP is expected to take their place in December and serve until April.
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Captain Mindaugas Neimontas
Office phone no. 00370 5 278 5091, cell phone no. 00370 682 25359, email: mindaugas.neimontas@mil.lt
