Bilateral Meeting of Lithuanian and Czech Defence Ministers

On July 31 Lithuanian Defence Minister Rasa Jukneviciene and Czech Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra held a bilateral meeting after a formal changeover ceremony of air contingents conducting the Baltic Air Policing mission in Siauliai during which Air Contingent of the Czech Republic took over the responsibility for patrolling the Baltic skies from Polish troops. At the meeting security situation in the region, NATO Air Policing mission, and new forms of cooperation in defence area were addressed.

Czech Defence Minister highlighted that he saw the Baltic Air Policing mission as an expression of collective approach. According to him, the interest of the Czech Republic is a strong and solid NATO, therefore Poland will continue sending national assets and personnel to the mission.

The meeting Minister also discussed the participation in the NATO exercise "Steadfast Jazz 2013". A. Vondra expressed support to the exercise and noted that exercises of such scope should be arranged regularly in this as well as in other regions.

"The exercise gives a great opportunity to test defence plans and host national support (HNS) capabilities," R. Jukneviciene said.

Lithuanian Defence Minister thanked the guest Minister for the support the Czech Republic has rendered to the NATO Energy Security Centre and invited to contribute to the activities of the Centre.

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