LITHUANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER: SECURE ARMENIA MEANS SECURE LITHUANIA
Defence Professionals
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/36830/?SID=96666ca6771f02d7a137be07794e206a
June 26 2012
On Sunday, June 24, Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Rasa
Jukneviciene met with Defence Minister of Armenia Seyran Ohanyan in
Yerevan, Armenia, and signed an update of the bilateral cooperation
agreement that has been the basis for Armenia's officers' training in
Lithuania, information exchange, participation in military exercises,
and exchange of lessons learned in multinational operations.
"Lithuania has always recognized the importance of the South Caucasus
Region, relations with the countries in the region were developed in
multiple directions, with trade and defence and security cooperation
as priorities", R. Jukneviciene upheld. According to Minister,
our key objective is peace and security in the region. "During
the visit we sought to convey our experience of obtaining NATO
and the EU membership, and encourage Armenia's cooperation with
these organisations," Minister stated. R. Jukneviciene stressed
that Lithuania will continue focusing on the military training and
education initiatives while developing bilateral cooperation.
Defence Minister of Armenia in his turn thanked for the opportunities
Lithuania has provided Armenia with to obtain military training and
consultations.
At the meeting R. Jukneviciene accentuated that security in the
South Caucasus Region is closely bound to the security of the Baltic
Region and therefore important for Lithuania. When addressing the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Lithuanian Minister accentuated that it must
be resolved by peaceful measures and reminded that the EU was ready
to offer mediation for applying measures strengthening confidence.
According to Minister, during its EU Presidency tenure in the second
semester of 2014 Lithuania will give priority for energy security
and the Eastern Neighborhood initiative a part of which is Armenia.
The meeting Ministers also shared their views on the reforms in defence
sector and cooperation with neighbours. "Active Lithuania's cooperation
with the Baltic States, Latvia and Estonia, is progressing into the
integration of defence sectors. The Baltic Region has never been as
secure as it is today when all the three Baltic States are NATO and
EU members", said Minister of National Defence while highlighting that
Lithuania also intends to integrate into the North European Region.
Furthermore, R. Jukneviciene stated that Lithuania has made
considerable achievements in energy security sector. "Currently
we are implementing a new energy strategy oriented towards energy
independence from Russia. We are establishing electricity links with
the EU, realizing projects of liquid gas terminal and regional nuclear
power plant," Minister said.
Ministers also discussed the International Security Assistance Force's
(ISAF) operation in Afghanistan involving military personnel both
from Lithuania and Armenia, as well as perspectives of the operation
after 2014. S. Ohanyan said that Armenia follows the same model as
Lithuania and concentrates on the mentoring and training function as
ISAF operation approaches its end.
Last time Lithuanian and Armenian defence ministers met in 2007.
Ministry of National Defense (Lithuania)
Company or Organisation Contact: Ugne Naujokaityte PR Advisor to the
Minister of National Defence +370 640 45 376
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Defence Professionals
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/36830/?SID=96666ca6771f02d7a137be07794e206a
June 26 2012
On Sunday, June 24, Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Rasa
Jukneviciene met with Defence Minister of Armenia Seyran Ohanyan in
Yerevan, Armenia, and signed an update of the bilateral cooperation
agreement that has been the basis for Armenia's officers' training in
Lithuania, information exchange, participation in military exercises,
and exchange of lessons learned in multinational operations.
"Lithuania has always recognized the importance of the South Caucasus
Region, relations with the countries in the region were developed in
multiple directions, with trade and defence and security cooperation
as priorities", R. Jukneviciene upheld. According to Minister,
our key objective is peace and security in the region. "During
the visit we sought to convey our experience of obtaining NATO
and the EU membership, and encourage Armenia's cooperation with
these organisations," Minister stated. R. Jukneviciene stressed
that Lithuania will continue focusing on the military training and
education initiatives while developing bilateral cooperation.
Defence Minister of Armenia in his turn thanked for the opportunities
Lithuania has provided Armenia with to obtain military training and
consultations.
At the meeting R. Jukneviciene accentuated that security in the
South Caucasus Region is closely bound to the security of the Baltic
Region and therefore important for Lithuania. When addressing the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Lithuanian Minister accentuated that it must
be resolved by peaceful measures and reminded that the EU was ready
to offer mediation for applying measures strengthening confidence.
According to Minister, during its EU Presidency tenure in the second
semester of 2014 Lithuania will give priority for energy security
and the Eastern Neighborhood initiative a part of which is Armenia.
The meeting Ministers also shared their views on the reforms in defence
sector and cooperation with neighbours. "Active Lithuania's cooperation
with the Baltic States, Latvia and Estonia, is progressing into the
integration of defence sectors. The Baltic Region has never been as
secure as it is today when all the three Baltic States are NATO and
EU members", said Minister of National Defence while highlighting that
Lithuania also intends to integrate into the North European Region.
Furthermore, R. Jukneviciene stated that Lithuania has made
considerable achievements in energy security sector. "Currently
we are implementing a new energy strategy oriented towards energy
independence from Russia. We are establishing electricity links with
the EU, realizing projects of liquid gas terminal and regional nuclear
power plant," Minister said.
Ministers also discussed the International Security Assistance Force's
(ISAF) operation in Afghanistan involving military personnel both
from Lithuania and Armenia, as well as perspectives of the operation
after 2014. S. Ohanyan said that Armenia follows the same model as
Lithuania and concentrates on the mentoring and training function as
ISAF operation approaches its end.
Last time Lithuanian and Armenian defence ministers met in 2007.
Ministry of National Defense (Lithuania)
Company or Organisation Contact: Ugne Naujokaityte PR Advisor to the
Minister of National Defence +370 640 45 376
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress