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Today I am in Lithuania to meet the country’s leaders, but also the NATO pilots and ground
crews who police the airspace of the Baltic States.
Ever since Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined the Alliance in 2004, they’ve shown strong
commitment to NATO.
They’ve helped build security in Afghanistan. They’ve led the way in fields such as cyber
defence and energy security. And they’ve helped transform NATO into a more flexible
and more effective Alliance.
The Baltic States are committed to NATO. And NATO is committed to the Baltic States – 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
That’s why these aircraft are here. That’s why 14 different NATO countries have contributed
to the mission since it began. And that’s why more Allies have expressed an interest
in joining.
Thanks to these pilots and planes, the airspace of the Baltic States is safe and secure. And
the Baltic States themselves can invest in other capabilities, which benefit NATO’s
operations.
This is Smart Defence in action.
And it demonstrates that NATO will do what it takes to keep every single Ally secure.
That’s what these aircraft are doing here, in Lithuania. It’s what NATO Patriot missile
systems are doing, right now, in Turkey. And it’s what countless NATO servicemen and
women do, wherever they are needed.
28 Allies. One NATO. Security round the clock – right across the Alliance.