OSCE observers visiting military units in Baltic countries to inspect armament

VILNIUS – Observers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are visiting military units in the Baltic countries to inspect armament and take a look at infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) Vilkas (Wolf), the Ministry of Defense said on Monday.

On September 5-11, OSCE officials would visit the military units stationed in Tapa, Estonia, Adazi, Latvia, and Rukla, Lithuania, the ministry reported in a press release.

While staying Lithuania on September 9-11, OSCE observers would be invited to visit the mechanized infantry brigade Iron Wolf to have a look at this military unit of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, its armament and military equipment, and to observe the presentation of modern IFVs Vilkas at the Gaiziunai training area.

More than 40 observers from more than 20 OSCE member states and institutions take part in the military facility visit covering all three Baltic countries for the first time ever.

Pursuant to existing formal documents, decisions and other agreements, OSCE countries undertake to organize, within five years, visits for observers, sent by the organization’s members, to a military unit of their armed forces or a large-scale military exercise, as well as demonstrations of new armament or military equipment.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation is composed of 57 participating States from Europe, Central Asia, and North America. The organization focuses on promotion of trust between countries and nations, prevention and management of conflicts, democratic reforms, safeguarding of human rights and fundamental freedoms, strengthening of civil society, free and democratic elections.