Lithuanian, Belgian army chiefs talk security, SOF cooperation

VILNIUS - Chief of Defense of Lithuania General Valdemaras Rupsys has meet with his Belgian counterpart Admiral Michel Hofman in Belgium and discussed the security situation and support to Ukraine, the army said on Tuesday.

Rupsys also discussed new prospects of cooperation between Lithuanian and Belgian Special Operations Forces with the leadership of the Belgian SOF.

Rupsys and Hofmanas exchanged their views and insights into the security situation, discussed issues related to military assistance to Ukraine, and also presented their plans for the development of national capabilities.

According to the report, the Belgian chief of defense was interested in the new ways in which Belgian troops could contribute to the security of Lithuania and the whole region.

According to the Lithuanian army, cooperation between the Lithuanian and Belgian SOFs opens up new opportunities, and the Belgian SOF joining the Lithuanian-led Baltic SOF component team would be a significant contribution to the strengthening of the deterrence component and defense capabilities.

The meetings identified logistics as a particularly promising area of military cooperation between Lithuania and Belgium in order to ensure the supply of military units and successful military operations both in peacetime and on the battlefield. 

The meeting also focused on support to Ukraine.