Emmanuel Macron concludes his visit to Lithuania at the Rukla military base
Emmanuel Macron visits French troops from the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Rukla, Lithuania, September 29, 2020. REUTERS / Ints Kalnins
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Emmanuel Macron completed his visit to Lithuania at the Rukla military base.
There he met the 300 French soldiers who have been serving since the summer and for 6 months in the multinational NATO battalion present in Lithuania since 2017. Military cooperation between the two countries is supported.
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With our correspondent in Vilnius,
Marielle Vitureau
In the large courtyard of the Rukla military base, the picture was beautiful.
The French President and his Lithuanian counterpart reviewed the French soldiers of the 5th Dragoon Regiment of Mailly le Camp.
In front of them, Emmanuel Macron reminded them of the importance of their presence: “
At these borders of our Europe, the risks are great.
The news shows it again, if need be.
And your presence is the demonstration of our commitment.
"
This is the second French rotation to this NATO mission in Lithuania, decided after the Warsaw summit to strengthen the security of the region, in the face of Russian policy deemed aggressive.
Coming with Leclerc tanks and armored vehicles, the interest of the mission is great for the soldiers.
“
It's a lot that is very, very wooded.
It offers other considerations at the tactical level
, ”testifies Christophe, captain.
France has been involved militarily with Lithuania since 2004. It has already carried out 8 air police missions in the region.
But Lithuania is also present with its great ally.
It regularly sends soldiers to French missions in Mali and the Central African Republic.
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France
Lithuania
Emmanuel Macron
Defense