Xinhua News Agency
October 29, 2014
Hungarian armed forces to strengthen NATO presence in Lithuania
VILNIUS: The first 20 Hungarian soldiers have arrived in Lithuania to increase NATO reinforcement measures on Tuesday.
Around 120 more Hungarian soldiers with military equipment are scheduled to arrive later this week, announced the Ministry of National Defense of Lithuania.
According to officials, around 140 Hungarian troops accompanied by Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers, already deployed here in the spring will form a battalion size unit. The battalion will engage in joint military exercises, said the Ministry.
The Hungarian army forces will remain deployed at Lithuania for the rest of the year.
“I’m glad that Hungary, the first from NATO European countries, responded to the changes in the geopolitical situation and the NATO Wales decisions,” said Juozas Olekas, Minister of National Defense, in a statement.
The first joint military exercise with Lithuanian and U.S. troops joined by the Hungarian forces are scheduled for early November.
An international Exercise Iron Sword 2014 will be attended by around 2,500 military personnel from nine NATO countries.
Responding to the changes in the regional geopolitical situation, NATO members have agreed in Wales’ summit to implement security measures in the Baltic countries.
Lithuania by itself has also reacted by forming the rapid response forces responsible for preventing hostile actions and unconventional war threats against Lithuania in peacetime.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the rapid response forces will come into operation from Nov. 1.
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