News archive (2013 - 09)

On 5 September Defence Ministers of the European Union arrived in Vilnius to discuss EU security and defence issues. Their informal meeting will be one of the key preparatory phases of the run-up to the December European Council where defence issues at the level of European Heads of State and Government will be discussed after a long break.

More coverage of the meeting:

Video of doorstep interviews 

Video of the Family photo 

Video from the Ministers welcome ceremony

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On September 4 Brigadier General Claudio Fazari, Defence Attaché of Italy in Lithuania, will be farewelled upon the completion of his term in office. Vice Minister of National Defence Marijus Velička will present the National Defence System Medal of Merit to the outgoing officer.

The farewell ceremony will also be attended by Ambassador of the Republic of Italy in Lithuania Taliani, and representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

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Media programme

On 5–6 September EU Defence Ministers will hold an informal meeting in Vilnius. One of the key preparatory phases of the run-up to the December European Council will address possible recommendations for the discussion on defence issues at the level of European Heads of State and Government.

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On September 3 Belgium took charge of providing NATO security in the airspace of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Formal rotation of air contingents took place at the Air Base of the Lithuanian Air Force in Šiauliai where the French Air Contingent that has been conducting the Baltic Air Policing mission so far handed over the responsibility to Belgians.

“This is my third deployment on the Baltic Air Policing mission and I have spotted new sites and new fighter-jet hangars”, said WO Erwin Hamers, a representative of the Air Component of the Belgian Royal Air Force for NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, admiring the changes.

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