On November 28 Chief of Defence of the Kingdom of Denmark General Bjørn I. Bisserup will be conducted a formal visit to Lithuania.
He began the visit by meeting with Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas, the counterparts discussed topicalities of regional security, joint bilateral and multilateral projects, international military exercises, possibilities to develop cooperation.
"Denmark is a special ally to Lithuania - we are connected by more than two decades of close military cooperation. We are grateful to the Danish Defence for every kind of support and efforts to strengthen security of Lithuania and the Baltic region," Lt Gen J. V. Žukas underscored.
Lt Gen J.V. Žukas presented to Gen B. I. Bisserup the Lithuanian Armed Forces Medal "100 years for the re-established Lithuanian Armed Forces" for his personal contribution to enhancing Lithuanian Armed Forces.
During the meeting with leadership of the Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the NATO Force Integration Unit and representatives of the Ministry of National Defence at the Lithuanian Armed Forces Office Gen B. I. Bisserup was extensively briefed on the security situation in our region, participation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in multinational operations, priorities of capability development, main military exercises held in our country, and analysis of informational threats.
Danish General concluded the one-day visit by laying a tribute wreath in Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius to the fallen for Lithuania's freedom.
Lithuania and Denmark have been bound by partnership in defence area nearly since the very restoration of Lithuania's independence. In 2015 Lithuania and Denmark updated their bilateral Memorandum of Understanding covering cooperation on defence planning, defence strategy, communications and information systems, defence industry, and other areas.
Denmark has great merits in training and arming Gen R. Giedraitis Artillery Battalion of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the country continually renders assistance for training Lithuanian military personnel, by arranging joint military exercises, and deploying Danish soldiers to take part in military exercises held in Lithuania. The Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf, Lithuanian Armed Forces, used to be affiliated to the Danish Army Division (DDIV) and took part in joint exercises regularly, which increased the ability of both countries to carry out joint operations. On 22 May 2018 the Motorised Infantry Brigade Griffin of the Lithuanian Armed Forces was affiliated to the Danish Army Division instead of it, which gives Lithuanian soldiers the opportunity to train in NATO exercises and training as part of a Danish Division.
Denmark also contributed to the development of multilateral Baltic projects: BALTRON (Baltic Naval Squadron), BALTNET (Baltic Air Surveillance Network), BALTDEFCOL (Baltic Defence College in Tartu, Estonia), and is one of the most active participants of the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states.
Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Maj Mindaugas Neimontas, +370 5 278 5091, +370 682 25359, mindaugas.neimontas@mil.lt
