2014 

NATO PA Defence and Security Committee: “The current security situation in the Baltic region remains tense,” states Juozas Olekas

Press release, 1 June 2014

On 1 June, the NATO PA Defence and Security Committee met in the framework of the Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA). The Committee members have discussed Baltic regional security, situation in Afghanistan, smart defence, and impact of the war in Syria on the region and the world.

In his speech Juozas Olekas, Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, affirms his belief that the Baltic States have always been regarded by Russia as an area of its interests. “We are concerned about Russia’s intention to dominate in many spheres –– from media and energy to militarization of the region. But the Baltic States and Poland were considered as paranoids, and Russia as a normal country. Now all this has gone,” says Mr Olekas. According to him, Russia presents both conventional large-scale intervention threat and non-conventional threat based on diversion operations. “This country is able to move more than 100,000 troops within hours and has shown a growing political will to use this capability,” states the speaker.

The Minister of National Defence points out that we are put in this situation by the new Putin’s doctrine that the Kremlin has a duty to protect Russian compatriots abroad. “It could give Putin a pretext for intervention to protect Russians or Russian-speaking people residing in the Baltic States as well,” highlights the Minister.

According to Juozas Olekas, yet another factor for concern is deepening integration of Russian–Belarus Armed Forces. “Belarus armed forces are incorporated in Russia’s military plans. By the end of this year Russia is planning to establish its air base for fighter jets in Belarus territory. The current security situation in the Baltic region remains tense. […] We witness considerably increased demonstration of Russia’s military power close to our borders,” states the Lithuanian politician. He also draws attention to Kaliningrad, where a military posture is strengthened and which is becoming Russia’s military stronghold. “Russia is implementing a ten-year rearmament and modernisation programme of its armed forces, giving a particular attention to the North Western direction and especially Kaliningrad,” underscores the Minister. According to him, Russia carries out increasingly offensive military planning, and this was perfectly demonstrated by the exercise “Zapad 2013”.

Juozas Olekas underlines that in this hostile security environment solidarity and unity of NATO Allies is of outmost importance. “We need NATO’s determination to sustain current Allied presence near NATO Eastern borders for as long as security situation requires. All additional stationing of NATO forces and assets in the Baltic States, including boots on the ground, would be right and measured. We also need to have more and sizable Article 5 exercises with realistic scenarios in our region. Establishing NATO’s permanent ground presence in the Baltic region would offer more opportunities for joint military training and act as a visible deterrent to Russia. What Russia would take seriously are military deployments in the NATO’s eastern flank,” speaks the Minister. According to him, the 1997 agreement providing that NATO cannot permanently station its troops in Eastern Europe is no longer valid because Russia has already broken it.

Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius, Chief of Defence, Republic of Lithuania, highlights that the current security environment in Europe is more demanding and requires the Alliance to have many different means and tools so as to ensure stability and security. “In order to stay credible today NATO needs to refocus its priorities on collective defence,” states Arvydas Pocius. Talking about various military exercises, the Chief of Defence of Lithuania points to common military capabilities. “A joint Polish–Ukrainian–Lithuanian brigade will become another example of such cooperation shortly. This leads us to joint participation in exercises and operations, common procedures, and to fighting together if required,” says Lieutenant General Pocius.

Julio Miranda Calha, Member of the Portuguese Parliament, read out the draft general report Afghanistan 2014: A Critical Crossroads for NATO and the International Community. Xavier Pintat, Member of the French Senate, presented the draft report Smart Defence: Platform Acquisitions in the Face of New Technologies – A Case Study of Drones of the Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defence Capabilities. Andrzej Szewinski, Member of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, introduced the Committee members to the Draft Report Regional and Global Implications of the Syrian Civil War: What Role for NATO? of the Sub-Committee on Transatlantic Defence and Security Co-operation.

Please find more on the NATO PA and the Spring Session here: www.lrs.lt/lt2014nato-pa.