Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will continue the project of a unified Baltic battalion
The project to create a unified Baltic Battalion with the participation of the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian military will be continued under the leadership of Latvia, as agreed to by the commanders of the defense forces of the three countries at a meeting in Riga, Delfi reported.
They noted that the Baltic Battalion is the common contribution by their states to their own security and to the security of NATO.
"In addition to adopting and integrating in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania a rapid reaction force to strengthen NATO's security, we have to further deepen our mutual defense cooperation by continuing the project of creating a joint infantry battalion," said the Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, Riho Terras.
According to him there is an opportunity now, with the help of the Baltic Battalion, to make a contribution to strengthen both the safety of Estonia, and the safety of its allies across the Alliance.
"We have been training the joint battalion personnel for more than 20 years, and at one time the Baltic Battalion played a successful and important role in our joining of NATO. We now have the opportunity with the help of the Baltic Battalion to contribute to the strengthening of both our own security, and the security of our allies in the alliance," stressed Terras.
During the meeting, Terras, as well as his Lithuanian and Latvian colleagues, Lieutenant-General Jonas Vytautas Zukas and Major-General Leonid Kalnins discussed the expanded presence of NATO allies in their countries, reforms in military universities, and the joint Baltic Defense College.