“In the run-up to the NATO summit, the Baltic states’ key task is to ensure the Alliance’s continued attention to our region. NATO has done a lot since the Warsaw Summit to enhance deterrence and security at the Alliance’s eastern borders, but we must ensure continuity of the security initiatives,” the Lithuanian Defense Ministry quoted him saying in a press release.
Karoblis, Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis and Estonian Defense Minister Juri Luiku focused in their discussions on coordinating the countries’ positions on key issues on NATO’s agenda, according to the press release.
The Baltic ministers also discussed EU security and defense issues and the strengthening of relations with the United States.
“The ministers of defense of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia agreed to work together in seeking a permanent deployment of US forces in the Baltic countries, conducting military exercises with US troops (and) coordinating military procurement priorities,” the ministry said.
The Baltic defense ministers and chiefs of defense meet on a biannual basis.
In response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, NATO beefed up its Baltic air policing mission and last year deployed multinational battalions to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland.