Lithuanian, Georgian defmins condemn Russian aggression

VILNIUS – Lithuanian National Defense Arvydas Anusauskas met with his Georgian counterpart Juansher Burchuladze in Tbilisi on Monday and later issued a joint declaration condemning Moscow's aggression against Ukraine and Russia's occupation of part of Georgia's territory.

The ministers also discussed Russia's war against Ukraine and the need to fully support Ukraine, Lithuania's Ministry of National Defense said.

During the meeting, Anusauskas paid tribute to the 24 Georgians who fought and died fighting against Russian on Ukraine's side.

Georgia is one of the most important partners among Eastern Partnership countries and Lithuania fully supports Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration and is ready to continue to cooperate with Georgia in the area of defense and boost its contribution to NATO programs, Anusauskas underlined.

"We support Georgia's path of Euro-Atlantic integration and fully contribute with our experience and expertise to bring Georgia's Armed Forces closer to the Euro-Atlantic standards," the Lithuanian minister was quoted as saying in the ministry's statement.

He also urged Georgia to continue its reforms.

In Tbilisi, Anusauskas also visited the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center. Lithuania will strengthen its contribution to NATO program in Georgia, Anusauskas said.