On Thursday in Vilnius there was an authoritative inauguration of 45. The German Armoured Brigade, besides known as the Lithuanian Brigade.
The ceremony was attended by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, his Lithuanian counterpart Dovilė Šakalienė and Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda. The deployment of the brigade is "a unique event in the past of our country," the second said.
"Their arrival reflects the common values of Lithuania and Germany, our proven relationship and the yet remarkable advancement of our strategical partnership in fresh years," stressed the President. Nausėda later addressed the soldiers in German, thanking them for their presence in Lithuania.
Chancellor Merz added that standing together, Lithuania and Germany have shown that they are ready to defend Europe's freedom from any aggressor. "The safety of Lithuania is our security. Vilnius defence is Berlin's defense. Our common area knows no geographical boundaries – it ends where we halt defending it," said Merz.
“That is why we are here present and why we will stay. Germany honors its commitments not only with words but besides with deeds – today, next day and as long as it takes," he noted.
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence, the relocation of the German brigade to Lithuania is progressing smoothly, in accordance with an action plan signed in December 2023.
According to the timetable, the larger part of the brigade will be transferred to Lithuania by 2026 and the full operation of the unit is to be achieved by 2027.
Source: LRT.lt
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