Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas has backed Poland’s proposal to set up a special force to protect the Baltic Sea infrastructure, saying that the Nordic, Baltic, and NATO navies would be capable of carrying out the mission.
Kasčiūnas’ comment came after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a Baltic-Nordic Wednesday meeting in Sweden that he was proposing to create “a Baltic Sea policing mission” in light of the region’s “need for new tools and ambitious means to counter threats”.
“Any idea that strengthens security in the Baltic Sea is welcome. I think we as an alliance [NATO] would be capable of doing it,” Lithuania's outgoing defence minister told BNS.
Dovilė Šakalienė, the Social Democratic candidate to become Lithuania’s next defence minister, echoed his position. She said she agreed with Tusk’s argument that regional countries need new formats and bolder positions on security in the Baltic Sea.
“The initial assessment is positive. I believe that just as the air policing mission has a deterrent effect, a maritime policing mission under the NATO flag would also have a deterrent effect impact,” Šakalienė told BNS.
“They [the Baltic and Nordic countries] already have the [naval] capability and it’s noticeable, but under the NATO flag, the mission would be even stronger and more effective. Of course, we’d then want solidarity from all allies, not just those in our region,” she said, adding that the issue could also be discussed with the United Kingdom.
Kasčiūnas said that while it was too early to discuss the operational specifics of such a policing mission, it could focus on key shipping routes and the fleets of countries posing the greatest risks.
Tusk’s proposal comes after two Baltic Sea underwater telecoms cables were cut last week – one connecting Lithuania and Sweden, the other linking Germany and Finland. A Chinese-flagged ship, which had departed from Russia, is suspected of being involved.
Politicians in Lithuania’s ruling coalition suspect the incidents may be linked to Russian sabotage.
Lithuania, Sweden, and Finland have launched pre-trial investigations into the Baltic Sea incidents.
NATO currently operates a Baltic air policing mission from air bases in Lithuania and temporarily in Latvia while Estonia’s base undergoes repairs.
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