Lietuvos ir Lenkijos Prezidentai stebėjo bendras karines pratybas Suvalkų koridoriaus teritorijoje

On Wednesday, President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, together with President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki, observed the international tactical exercise "Brave Griffin 26" of Lithuanian and Polish troops.

During the exercise "Brave Griffin 26", the militaries of both countries honed their rapid and coordinated response to potential threats in the so-called Suwalki Corridor. These already traditional exercises are part of the Lithuanian and Polish armies' operational defense "Orsha Plan" for the strategically important Suwalki Corridor.

"Lithuania and Poland are strategic partners, close allies. We are united by both a common history and a common response to today's geopolitical challenges - together we share the challenges of our neighborhood with the Russian Königsberg region and Belarus," said the President.

According to the country's leader, the joint military exercises clearly demonstrate that Lithuania and Poland are preparing to ensure their own security and that of NATO's entire Eastern flank through actions, not loud statements.

"Joint exercises in the so-called Suwalki Corridor improve the interoperability of the armies of our countries, polish the procedures for joint response to potential threats to the point of automatism, and demonstrate our determination to deter any possible aggression. It is not for nothing that the defense plan of the Lithuanian and Polish armies for the strategically important Suwalki Corridor is the "Orsha Plan". Just as in Orsha then, so now the Lithuanian and Polish soldiers are ready to prevent the enemy from the East through joint actions," said the head of state.

During the bilateral meeting, the Presidents discussed strengthening regional defense and security, military and political support for Ukraine, and the priorities of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. It was agreed that the common goal of Lithuania and Poland at the upcoming NATO summit is to preserve and reaffirm transatlantic unity as the foundation of the Alliance.

The Head of State informed the President of Poland about the law adopted by the Seimas on the establishment of the Kapčiamiestis training ground, thanked the Polish side for its support in this matter, and once again assured that the training ground would also be open for joint training of Polish soldiers with units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The presidents also discussed the idea of ​​a joint Suwałki and Lazdijai free economic zone. A free economic zone established in this region could be primarily intended for the development of the defense industry and dual-use technologies, and would become a stimulus for possible joint defense industry projects.

"History and the common struggle of our peoples for freedom have determined that during this tense period, Lithuania and Poland can rely on each other and can, through their joint efforts and their combined forces, ensure security and protect peace in the region. This is exactly what the people of Lithuania and Poland need today," the head of state emphasized