Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas met with Gen. Julio Rodriguez, Chief of Defence Staff of Spain, who came on his first visit to Lithuania on September 24. High officials addressed the points of bilateral cooperation as the countries run provincial reconstruction teams in Ghowr and Badghis - neighbouring provinces of Afghanistan.
Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas met with Gen. Julio Rodriguez, Chief of Defence Staff of Spain, who came on his first visit to Lithuania on September 24. High officials addressed the points of bilateral cooperation as the countries run provincial reconstruction teams in Ghowr and Badghis - neighbouring provinces of Afghanistan.
“Provinces of Ghowr and Badghis share problems and challenges just like they share borders, therefore close cooperation and exchange of experience and information is beneficial to both sides,” said Minister Olekas.
Minister Olekas invited Gen. Rodriguez to share the experience his country gained while implementing big-scale reconstruction projects in Afghanistan, such as renewal of air field and hospital.
Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff of Spain also looked at the results of the informal NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting that took place in London last week, and shared ideas on challenges of transferring conscript to professional armed forces. Compulsory conscription in Spain was abandoned in 2001.
Today the high guest will proceed to meet Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt. Gen. V.Tutkus and representatives of Defence Staff. He will be briefed on the course of development, future plans, transformation, and participation in the international operations of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
Afterwards Gen. Rodriguez will visit Air Force Aviation Base in Siauliai and meet with AF representatives and members of the German Air Component currently conducting the Baltic Air-policing mission.
Spain had deployed its troops to the Baltic Air-policing mission in 2006; the following rotation is expected to be sent in 2011.