The Minister of National Defense, Helena Carreira, defended this Wednesday that the Marine Infantry Force made up of 146 soldiers that left this morning for Lithuania reinforces the “new cycle” of the presence of the Atlantic Alliance on the eastern European flank.
“Its deployment to Lithuania within the framework of the Atlantic Alliance Guarantee Measures is of particular importance given the most recent developments that our continent has faced in the last three months,” said the Defense Minister.
Addressing the 146 soldiers who left for Lithuania on Wednesday, Helena Carreira said that the war in Ukraine “follows the illegal and brutal invasion of Russia.” marked the beginning of a new cycle for NATO and the European security architecture. According to the minister, this new cycle has resulted in a strengthen “solidarity” between alliesin greater operational capacity and in “higher levels of readiness”, underlining that NATO is more united and prepared for new missions.
“The security of our allies is our security,” added Helena Carreira, recalling that the current mission of the Marine Corps represents Portugal’s “continued contribution” to strengthening the eastern flank of the Atlantic Alliance.
The Marine Corps that departed from Figo Maduro Transit Airfield No. 1, in Lisbon, is made up of 12 officers, 24 sergeants and 110 soldiers from the Marine Corps and the Navy Divers Group, totaling 146 soldiers. The detachment of Portuguese marines will remain at the Klaipeda base in the Baltic Sea.
These soldiers will participate in the Guarantee Measures of the Atlantic Alliance, which translate into the involvement of air, sea and land assets in central and eastern Europe and also in Turkey.
According to NATO, the measures are aimed at guaranteeing the safety of populations from possible attacks. In this sense, the Minister of Defense said that combined training and exercises are planned with a view to “raising” the preparation capacity while this Marine Corps Force is characterized by “great flexibility, mobility, and combat power,” including skills in the areas of special operations (Special Actions Detachment), diving, and amphibious operations support.
The current mission of the Marine Corps was already scheduled, as was the mission of the Portuguese Army in Romania, but it was “anticipated by the circumstances”, admitting that the reinforcement of NATO forces may take place in the future.
“The Atlantic Alliance will decide when and by what means to engage. There are forces ready. We are available and ready to contribute,” the minister told reporters on the sidelines of the military ceremony.
Source: Observadora
