[ad_1]
Arriving at the training regiment of the Great Hetman of Lithuania Jonušas Radvila, E. Macronas together with the President of Lithuania Gitanas Naus ministroda greeted the Minister of National Defense Raimundas Karoblis, Lithuanian soldiers standing next to him, representatives of the French delegation, reported a BNS correspondent from the scene.
Later, the French leader, together with the President of Lithuania, greeted the French and Lithuanian soldiers who were in line.
Several units of French combat teams also lined the square.
Shortly after the official reception ceremony, the French leader came out to speak with the soldiers face to face behind closed doors.
After a meeting with the soldiers, Macron left with the delegation.
Meanwhile, G. Nausėda told reporters that during this visit he tried to better understand France and listen to its arguments.
“I asked the president that he probably wanted the same thing. He said yes. So, I think this meeting was for the parties to get to know each other and understand each other better,” said G. Nausėda.
Mr. Nausėda thanked France for its significant contribution to strengthening security in the Baltic region.
“Currently, French soldiers serving in the NATO Front Forces Battalion, soldiers and equipment participating in military air defense exercises in Šiauliai contribute significantly to deterrence and defense in the Baltic region.” it is a clear message from the Allies about our unity, readiness and capabilities to defend the Alliance and its eastern borders, “he said.
The Minister of National Defense, Raimundas Karoblis, pointed out that the visit of the French president to Rukla will motivate the French soldiers.
“It is a motivating factor for soldiers, especially for those serving in another country. Now the number of French soldiers in Lithuania is a record: 300 soldiers, so this visit of soldiers is really important “, – Lithuanian National Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis noted.
French soldiers – it’s a great honor to meet the president
Lieutenant Lora, a 36-year-old French soldier serving in Rukla, says it is a great honor to meet Macron.
“It is a great honor for all men and women who serve in a battle group. It is something we do not do very often, so it is a great honor to meet him here, where we work so hard, “the French soldier told BNS.
“I am very happy about that,” he added.
The French soldier arrived in Lithuania in August and will be here shorter than other French soldiers: three months, but according to the woman, the time in Lithuania is special.
“I love your country, even though I can’t do what I want often, but from what I’ve seen, I can say that your country is very beautiful, the food is amazing, and the people are fantastic,” Lieutenant Lora said.
Sergeant Major Abdul, 33, will meet President Macron for the first time, although it is not the first stop of his missions in Lithuania, the soldier has previously served in Germany, Belgium, Greece and Lebanon.
“It will be a great pleasure for us (…) It will be the first time,” the French soldier told reporters.
He will spend the entire rotation time in Lithuania and declared that he is ready for the Lithuanian winter.
“The weather is good, we are ready for winter. I work at headquarters as a systems administrator, I do not participate in exercises,” he said.
For security reasons, French soldiers cannot reveal their names.
A French contingent of three hundred soldiers arrived in Lithuania for a six-month rotation in July this year. Before that, E. Macron received an honorary doctorate from Vilnius University. At Vilnius University, the French leader also spoke with Lithuanian students. According to the rector of the Rimvydas Petrauskas university, the meeting with the students was initiated by E. Macronas.
During the discussion, the French leader reiterated that there must be more integration and sovereignty in the European Union, as this will give the Community more power to act. According to the president, the need for greater integration in Europe has been demonstrated by the coronavirus and events in Belarus. The visiting politician in Lithuania assured that all of Europe does not recognize the legitimacy of Aliaksandr Lukashenko, but in the context of these events it is necessary to speak with both Russia and Vladimir Putin.
E. Macron arrived in Lithuania on Monday night. The first meeting was with President Gitan Nauseda. During the bilateral meeting, the two presidents discussed issues of Belarus, cooperation with Eastern countries, as well as climate change, the economy and cybersecurity.
After the meeting in the presidency, E. Macronas said that Lithuania should ignore the painful history and open up to cooperation with Russia.
“If we want peace in Europe for a long time, we must work with Russia. We have a common geography and history. We cannot live as if Russia is an island far from Europe. I know the issue is delicate. I know the past is important. and that this country has wounds. XX BC was not the same as with us, you may have felt alone. I know what it means to talk about strategic dialogue with Russia. However, the dialogue is transparent and I believe that in the century XXI. “We can create one in which conflicts are resolved,” Macron said.
Following the bilateral meeting, a gala dinner was held in the House of Lords on Monday evening.
After his stay in Lithuania, E. Macron will leave for neighboring Latvia.
[ad_2]
