Royal Danish Embassy T. Kosciuskos 36, LT-01100 Vilnius Tel: +370 (5) 264 8768 Mob: +370 6995 7760 Fax: +370 (5) 231 2300 The Defence Attaché To Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania Newsletter for the Baltics Week 3 2015 The following information is gathered from open sources, mainly from the Baltic News Service (BNS), respective defence ministries press releases and websites as well as various newspapers, etc.
THE BALTICS Baltic Chiefs of Defence met in Estonia On 15-16 January Lithuanian Chief of Defence Maj Gen Jonas Vytautas Zukas will be conducting a visit in Estonia, where he will meet with Baltic Chiefs of Defence, Director General of the International Military Staff Air Marshal Sir Christopher Harper, Military Representative of Estonia to the EU and NATO Maj Gen Neeme Vali, US Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee Lt Gen David R. Hogg and former Deputy SACEUR Gen Richard Schireff. The session will focus on it s the security situation in the Baltic region, NATO cyber defence, air policing mission in the Baltic States, and other points of relevance. T he officers will be conducting visits to the Headquarters of the Estonian Armed Forces, the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and the Amari Air Base, and will pay tribute to the fallen Estonian soldiers. Participants of the meeting are also expected to attend a formal dinner with Estonia Defence Minister Sven Mikser. Baltic states signed declaration about improving security of energy supply On 14 January Latvian Economy Minister Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Urve Palo and Lithuanian Minister of Energy Rokas Masiulis signed the declaration in Riga. The Latvian Economy Ministry spokeswoman, Evita Urpena, told BNS that the recent changes in the geopolitical situation in Europe had highlighted the need to find effective solutions to reduce the energy dependence and to increase the security in both the electricity and natural gas sectors. BALTICS AND RUSSIA/UKRAINE Latvian Foreign Minister to meet with National Alliance on Russian propaganda Next week Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics will meet with representatives of Latvia s ruling nationalist conservative National Alliance to explain his position on the issue of Russian propaganda. The National Alliance is seeking a meeting with Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics in order to inquire him about Latvia s failure to join four EU member states initiative aimed at countering Russian propaganda. The National Alliance faction in the Latvian parliament has therefore decided to invite Rinkevics to its meeting so that he could explain the decision not to sign the informal appeal, endorsed by Estonia, Lithuania, Denmark and the UK. Piontkovsky: Crimea annexation laid philosophical grounds for any invasion On 15 January a famous Russian political scientist and publicist Andrey Piontkovsky said that 2
during the annexation of Crimea, Russian President Vladimir Putin laid philosophical foundation for invasion of any country with a Russian-speaking community. He emphasized the importance of Putin s statement made on 18 March last year about the disunited Russian nation. Putin s philosophy is already being translated into reality in the Baltic states through elements of a hybrid war provocations next to the air-space of the Baltic states, information warfare including propaganda statements about persecution of Russian-speakers and cyberattacks. Lithuanian parliamentary committees call on Kremlin to release Ukrainians captives On 15 January Lithuanian parliamentary committees on European Affairs and Foreign Affairs have called on the Kremlin to release Ukrainian army pilot Nadiya Savchenko and other Ukrainians illegally held captive in Russia. The statement underlines that after Savchenko was elected to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, there is a situation for the first time in the history of independent Ukraine when an elected representative of the nation cannot represent her voters because she is being illegally held in the territory of another country. Lithuanian new ambassador to Russia sees signs of improved ties On 15 January the newly-appointed Lithuanian Ambassador to Russia Remigijus Motuzas said that he sees some signs of improvement in the bilateral ties. He said that many Russian diplomats condemn the Soviet past. The ambassador said he lately spoke to Russian diplomats about the need to resume the dialogue. Russian representatives to be invited to several events organized by Latvian EU Presidency On 14 January Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma said that there are several events planned during Latvia s Presidency of the Council of the EU to which Russia s representatives will be invited, although Russia s participation in the Eastern European Partnership Summit to be held in Riga in May this year is not planned. At the same time Russian representatives will be invited to, for example, the meeting of transport ministers, Straujuma said. Ukrainian academicians, intellectuals name Lithuanian President person of the year On 13 January Ukraine s Higher Academic Council has announced Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite as the Person of the Year. Grybauskaite was awarded the title for her strong and unwavering support to Ukrainian independence at public and political level. President Dalia Grybauskaite is consistently and resolutely defending Ukraine s interests and supporting its democratic aspirations at the highest international level. Her voice is heard from most influential international rostrums, affirming 3
our nation s right to be equal among European countries, the Higher Academic Council said in an official letter cited by the Lithuanian President s Office. Latvia to send another civilian expert to OSCE mission in Ukraine On 13 January Latvian Government adopted a resolution that states that Latvia is going to contribute one more civilian expert to OSCE special monitoring mission to Ukraine. The total number of Latvian civilian experts participating in the OSCE mission in Ukraine will increase to seven. Latvian expert Sergejs Mlijevskis has been picked for work in the OSCE that requested he be deployed to the mission as soon as possible to work on it until the expiry of the mission s mandate on 31 March 2015. Bill to establish Estonian-Russian border line approved by Estonian government On 8 January Estonian government approved a bill to establish coordinates of a preliminary control line between Estonia and Russia. It is at the moment difficult to foresee that the border treaty with Russia will be ratified soon, which is why it is extremely important that the course of the border control line be clearly fixed by the government of the republic, Interior Minister Hanno Pevkur said, while adding that the determination of coordinates will significantly improve prevention and detection of intentionally committed cross-border crimes. Lithuanians support government position on Ukraine According to a survey carried out on 4-15 December a majority of Lithuanians support their government s position on Ukraine. Asked whether Lithuania is providing enough support to Ukraine, 55 percent said the level of support is sufficient, 12 percent believe it s not, 10 percent said it s not sufficient and 23 percent believe Lithuania should have a neutral position on Ukraine. During the survey, 44 percent of people said they wished Lithuanian cooperation with the US to grow, and 43 percent said the existing level of cooperation is sufficient. 11 percent were against further increase in cooperation with the US. 65 percent said Lithuania should be fully involved in international anti-terror operations. 10 percent believe the country should only contribute financially, but should not take part in them. 23 percent said they would not want Lithuania to take part in anti-terror operations at all. Security Police probe Latvians fighting for Ukraine On 5 January it was released that Latvian Security Police (DP) are paying attention not only to Latvians possibly fighting on the side of eastern Ukrainian separatists, but also looking into those who might be doing so on Ukraine s side. The DP declined to mention any specific number of individuals about whom it might have news of their involvement fighting for Ukraine. Based on 4
information gathered from various sources, it plans interventions to prevent any risks to national security from Latvians getting involved in acts of violence there with any politically motivated intent whatsoever. From its institutional perspective, the DP repeated its call for legislative amendments to expand its scope of jurisdiction, for instance in the Criminal Code regarding illegal participation in armed conflicts abroad. LITHUANIA Annual Snow Meeting to be held in Lithuania On 15-16 January an annual Snow Meeting is being held in Trakai, Lithuania. The Snow Meeting is a highlevel discussion forum organised on a regular basis by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry in Trakai and Vilnius. This year s meeting focuses on how to protect Western society and values, particularly in the wake of Russia s aggressive actions against Ukraine. The session will be attended by senior security experts and government officials, including Estonian Foreign Minister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, and Slovakian Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak, as well as the NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow. Alleged spy pleaded not guilty After a Vilnius court opened the case on 16 January Lithuanian citizen Romualdas Lipskis, former employee of Oro Navigacija, who is on trial for spying for Belarus, pleaded not guilty and asked for the case to be heard in an open hearing. The panel of three judges satisfied the plea. Lipskis said that the information he transferred to a Belarusian person were diagrams that are not secret and are available anywhere online. The prosecutor said that Lipskis photographed contents of five folders describing objects with technical data about objects under construction, technical documentation, etc. during his service in Oro Navigacija in October of 2012, which was his task for the Belarusian intelligence. Foreign Affairs Minister met with NATO Deputy Secretary General On 15 January Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Minister Linas Linkevicius held a meeting with NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow, where he called for rapid implementation of the decisions made at the Alliance s Wales summit. The two officials discussed the implementation of the decisions on the measures of collective defence taken 5
at NATO summit in Wales and the implementation of a Readiness Action Plan, as well as the Alliance s adaptation to the new security environment. The minister noted the important role of SHAPE in planning exercises, in establishing command and control elements, and in developing Very High Readiness Joint Task Force. Parliament to analyse Lithuania s readiness for anti-terrorism efforts On 14 January the parliamentary National Security and Defence Committee worked on establishing Lithuania s readiness to fight terrorism. The meeting was held after the attacks in Paris, which claimed 17 lives. In a report published last spring, the State Security Department said it did not establish any groups of supporters of radical religious ideologies in Lithuania. It said the majority of persons professing traditional Islam in Lithuania disagree with radical interpretations. The level of international terrorism in Lithuania was listed as very low. Paulauskas said the committee will aim to determine whether the threats were fuelled by the developments in Paris. Lithuanian inspector conducted a visit to Georgian military unit On 13-14 inspector of the Arms Control Division of the Joint Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces for a first time is conducting a verification visit in the 5th Infantry Brigade of the Georgian Armed Forces in Gori in composition of a Polish-headed arms control team. The verification visit is carried out on the basis of the Vienna Document 2011 of OSCE. The inspection team will also familiarise with routines of the unit, visit its main subdivisions and communicate with military personnel serving there. New shift of US forces deployed in Lithuania The new shift of rotating US forces deployed in Lithuania begins preparing for combined training with Lithuanian military personnel they will be taking part in combined exercises and enhancing interoperability till April. The US military personnel have also brought their combat equipment - the STRYKER armoured personnel carriers have been transported by sea to Klaipeda Seaport from their permanent station in Germany. The first group of US soldiers reached Lithuania in the early evening on 8 January, and the main component of the rotation joined them on 12 January. The US military come from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment of the 3rd Division, stationed in Vilseck, Germany. This is the already US rotation in Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland. 6
LATVIA Latvian interior minister to focus on counter-terrorism issues On 15 January Interior Ministry reported that during the informal meeting of the EU justice and interior ministers on 29 January Latvian Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis has decided to focus on counterterrorism issues. The presidency has informed member states that in order to prepare the discussion in Riga, the minister is going to discuss views and suggestions on measures to respond to current challenges following tragic events in Paris with EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos. Latvian parliament to pay increased attention to security issues after Paris attacks On 13 January parliament speaker Inara Murniece said that after the deadly terror attacks in Paris, Latvia will turn increased attention to security issues, including combating terrorism, also on the parliamentary level. Murniece indicated that an inter-parliamentary conference on the EU s common foreign and security policy and common security and defense policy, organized by the Latvian parliament, will take place at the beginning of March. Interior Minister: Number of Latvian fighters in Syria might grow On 13 January Latvian Interior Ministe Rihards Kozlovskis said that it is not excluded that in the future the number of Latvian citizens fighting in Syria and Iraq in the lines of the so-called Islamic state might grow. The Security Police has confirmed that there is one Latvian citizen currently fighting on the side of the Islamic state in Syria. This trend might develop and it cannot be excluded that in the future the number of Latvian citizens in this army might grow, said the minister. ESTONIA Estonia to send 50 defence personnel to South Lebanon On 15 January the Estonian government approved a draft decision of the Estonian parliament to deploy 50 persons from the Estonian defence force to the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Estonian contingent will consist of an infantry platoon, support elements, and some staff officers. The platoon will collaborate closely with the Lebanese military. Their duties 7
will be observation, patrols, and manning of check point. New rotation of US troops arrive in Estonia On 15 January the Stryker combat vehicles and the support vehicles of the new rotation of the US army arrived in Estonia. The vehicles will be moved to the compound of the Estonian 1st Infantry Brigade in Tapa, where a US mechanized Infantry Company of the 3rd Squadron of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment has been stationed since 12 January. The new rotation of US troops and vehicles will stay in Estonia for up to three months as a part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Former Guantanamo prisoner arrives in Estonia On 15 January Estonia accepted a Yemini national previously held at the US Guantanamo prison. By this step, Estonia supports the aspiration of the United States to close the Guantanamo prison. Persons released from Guantanamo often cannot return to their home country due to the security risk. US donated two military aircraft to Estonia The Estonian Air Force will take delivery of two light transport aircraft Sherpa C-23B+ as a gift from the United States in 2015. The aircraft will swap out the Antonov An-2 Soviet-era airplanes, currently in use. They will be delivered to Estonia in 2015, once the pilots and technicians have completed the necessary training. The Estonian Air Forces uses light transport planes for artillery observation, practice for anti-air units, observation missions, medical evacuations, transporting parachutists and for other transport missions. Defence chief calls out Estonian military intelligence for excellent work in 2014 On 9 January Brig Gen Riho Terras, commander of the Estonian defence forces, called out the Estonian military intelligence service for their excellent work in 2014. Several NATO structures have told me that the information and timeliness of the Estonian military intelligence has helped make many decisions. According to Terras, many steps have been taken in Estonian military intelligence in the past year, but at the same time there are room for growth. We have set a target to expand and employ 50 new people per year, but there are people that you cannot just pick from the street, said the general. Newsletter was prepared by Aistė Aurelija Azbytė-Slott, Søren Als Andersen (intern, Tallinn), Katrine Thorhauge Christensen (intern, Riga) 8