Baltic defmins to discuss regional security

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anusauskas will discuss regional security and cooperation with his Baltic counterparts in Estonia on Friday as the ministers are meeting on the Estonian island of Saaremaa.

The meeting will touch upon preparations for the forthcoming NATO summit in Madrid in June where the Baltic countries expect key decisions on strengthening the Alliance's eastern flank.

The Baltic ministers will also discuss the procurement and development of joint capabilities.

Estonia is leading the Baltic states defense cooperation this year.

In recent years, the Baltic countries have been actively cooperating in the areas of officer training at the Baltic Defense College, NATO air police mission, naval forces and joint exercises.

Also, the three countries are also synchronizing their capability planning, coordinating joint acquisitions, holding joint exercises, training sessions and seminars, and their individual military forces are also working together, Lithuania's Ministry of National Defense notes.