From 6 to 9 February 2022, Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee was in Lithuania to meet with senior military and political officials. On 9 February he attended the ceremony for the 5th anniversary of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence multinational battle group deployment in Lithuania.
After an official welcome ceremony at the Ministry of National Defence on 7th February, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Bauer sat down with Lieutenant General Rupšys, Chief of Defence of Lithuania, to discuss the ongoing security challenges facing Lithuania and the Alliance as a whole. Admiral Bauer thanked Lithuania for its enduring commitment and contributions to NATO. “This visit is an opportunity for me to thank the people of Lithuania, on behalf of the NATO Military Committee, for their continued and unwavering support to our Alliance. It has been 18 years since Lithuania made the sovereign choice to join NATO. Since then, Lithuania has become a staunch and important ally contributing actively to not only its own security but also to Allied, European and global security”, he added.
Later that day, Admiral Bauer met with Minister of Defence Arvydas Anušauskas, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Arnoldas Pranckevičius, and members of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence.
On 8th February, Admiral Bauer delivered a speech for the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of the Vilnius University in which he explained the role of military advice within the NATO political decision-making process.
Together with NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr Mircea Geoană, Admiral Bauer met with the President of Lithuania, H.E. Mr Gitanas Nausėda. Discussions centred on the security situation in and around Ukraine, Belarus and the importance of a common approach to the collective defence of the Alliance.
Later that day, Admiral Bauer travelled to the Lithuania-Belarus border for a presentation on the border-surveillance system. He was informed of Lithuania’s efforts in handling the instrumentalisation of migration and of the cooperation between the State Border Guard Service and the Armed Forces.
On 9th February, Admiral Bauer joined the Lithuanian President, H.E. Mr Gitanas Nausėda, NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr Mircea Geoană and other international officials at the Training Regiment in Rukla for the 5th anniversary ceremony of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) multinational battle group in Lithuania.
In his speech, Admiral Bauer highlighted the effectiveness and importance of the eFP for NATO’s deterrence and defensive posture. The eFP battlegroups “are part of NATO’s broader deterrence and defence posture. They symbolise NATO’s resolve and unity. They send an unmistakable message to any potential aggressor. As an Alliance, we will continue to take all necessary vigilance measures to defend and protect all Allies, including through strengthening our collective defence.”
Admiral Bauer praised the troops for their contribution to Alliance’ task to defend and deter: “Lithuania has the legend of the ‘Iron wolf’. Standing on top of a mountain, howling with the strength of a hundred wolves. Echoing the glory of the deeds of the Lithuanian people and their rulers. Today, on behalf of the NATO Military Committee, I praise you. And the work you do to send an unmistakable message to any potential aggressor. You embody an important truth that we are much stronger together than we are alone. I am intensely proud of you.”
At the end of the ceremony, the new symbolic eFP monument was unveiled to commemorate the continued contributions of the men and women who serve peace and security.
Afterwards, the Admiral visited the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence. Since being accredited in 2012, the Centre has been providing expert advice on questions related to operational energy security.
During the final part of the country visit, the Deputy Secretary General and the Chair of the NATO Military Committee met with Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.