Seimas has ratified the Agreement between Lithuania and Germany on Defence Cooperation

Press release, 3 October 2024

The Seimas has ratified the Agreement between the Governments of Lithuania and Germany on Defence Cooperation signed in Berlin on 13 September 2024. 

Earlier, on 13 December 2023, Lithuania approved the draft letter of intent ‘Roadmap Brigade Lithuania’ marking a key step in preparing for the permanent presence of the German Armed Forces brigade in the Republic of Lithuania.

According to Arvydas Anušauskas, Member of the Seimas, this is a strategic Agreement that is of crucial importance not only to Lithuania’s security, but also to the security of the region as a whole. ‘We understand the importance of this strategic partnership, as the presence of Germany enhances our defence by involving other Western European nations, particularly the Netherlands, with whom Germany is developing joint formations, as well as Norway, Czechia, and others. The defence of the NATO perimeter begins at its eastern border,’ Mr Anušauskas said. 

Giedrius Surplys, Member of the Seimas, expressed his appreciation of the start of a special friendship between Lithuania and Germany, which will extend beyond defence to include cooperation in the economic and manufacturing sectors.

Emanuelis Zingeris, Chair of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs, noted that all political groups in the Committee supported this decisive move. ‘This is a historic decision,’ Mr Zingeris said.

The Agreement details the status of the German military forces, servicemen, civilian component, family members, and state enterprises serving the German military forces during their stationing in the Republic of Lithuania.

‘The Agreement stipulates that all the infrastructure areas and facilities to be used by the personnel of the German armed forces deployed in Lithuania will remain the property of the Republic of Lithuania. The German military personnel will have access to the areas and facilities within the infrastructure of the Republic of Lithuania only with the consent of the Republic of Lithuania and with full respect for the sovereignty and laws of the Republic of Lithuania,’ said Monika Koroliovienė, Vice-Minister of National Defence, in an earlier statement. 

Specifically, the Agreement regulates such matters as entry, exit, access to military infrastructure facilities for military cooperation purposes, taxes, jurisdiction, military post offices, recognition of driving licences, registration and movement of vehicles, establishment of schools teaching in accordance with German education programmes, as well as establishment of military healthcare institutions, military shops and canteens. 

In addition, the Agreement allows the German members of the force, civilian component, family members, and employees of German government companies to receive status certificates and personal identification numbers from the Republic of Lithuania. A status certificate is considered to be equivalent to a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania and facilitates access to public and private services during temporary stay in our country. In typical long-term military cooperation, personnel rotations occur every three years.

‘Apparently, we remain committed to an unchanging goal of facilitating military cooperation between Germany and Lithuania and creating the best possible conditions for the relocation of the German brigade to our country,’ Ms Koroliovienė said.

The Seimas adopted the relevant law (draft No XIVP-4155(2)) unanimously by 88 votes in favour.

Rimas Rudaitis, Adviser, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 209 6132, e-mail: [email protected]