Baltics agree to step up cooperation in preparation for universal defense

VILNIUS – Defense vice ministers from the three Baltic states agreed in Riga on Monday to strengthen trilateral cooperation, Lithuania's Defense Ministry said today.

Lithuania was represented at the meeting by Vice Minister Tomas Godliauskas.

Given the changing security situation, the meeting highlighted the need to pay more attention not only to military capabilities, but also to civilian defense, the ministry said

The vice ministers agreed to initiate discussions on the development of a universal defense concept at the regional level.

The concept will identify key areas of trilateral cooperation, such as planning and coordinating mobilization, providing host nation support to allies in accordance with existing defense plans and organizing joint mobilization exercises.

The meeting also discussed the need to resume previous joint exercises between the Baltic states on military logistics and host nation support.