Press release, 12 October 2017

By 87 votes in favour, the Seimas unanimously adopted a resolution on the participation of military units of the Republic of Lithuania in international military operations (draft No XIIIP-1048(2).

Thereby the Seimas authorised the deployment of military units of the Republic of Lithuania, consisting of military and civilian staff of the national defence system, for participation in military operations between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2019.

“Participation in international operations is a way to implement the Lithuanian commitment to international security and NATO’s collective defence, the EU Common Security and Defence Policy, the UN peacekeeping efforts, as well as multilateral and bilateral military cooperation. If we want to be defended, we also need to contribute to the defence of other countries and their interests. As beneficiaries, we are contributing in so far as we can and in accordance with our level of economic development, defence and military capabilities, and the current security situation in Lithuania. The necessary balance is preserved,” said Raimundas Karoblis, Minister of National Defence while presenting the draft.

From 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019, the military units of the Republic of Lithuania, consisting of military and civilian staff of the national defence system, shall be deployed to serve in the following operations:

1) Resolute Support, a NATO-led international operation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan: up to 50 members of the military and civilian staff;

2) NATO-led international operation in the Republic of Kosovo: up to 5 members of the military and civilian staff;

3) EU Naval Force Operation ATALANTA for counter-piracy and fight with armed robbery at sea: up to 30 members of the military and civilian staff;

4) MINUSMA, a UN-led operation in the Republic of Mali: up to 40 members of the military and civilian staff;

5) EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia, EU’s military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean: up to 20 members of the military and civilian staff;

6) US-led coalition’s military operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield: up to 40 members of the military and civilian staff;

7) NATO programmes in the Republic of Iraq and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: up to 10 members of the military and civilian staff;

8) military training operation in Ukraine for training the Ukrainian armed forces: up to 60 members of the military and civilian staff.

Saulė Eglė Trembo, Senior Specialist, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6203,  e-mail: [email protected]