On May 15 the Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas in the Ministry of National Defence met the Deputy Secretary General of the European External Actions Service Maciej Popowsky, and expressed expectations that conclusions of the European Council meeting, to be held in December, will reflect national priorities of Lithuanian Presidency.

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On May 14 Defence Minister Juozas Olekas with the European Defence Agency (EDA) Director Claude-France Arnould visiting in Vilnius, discussed priorities of the upcoming Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council, which could be implemented with the assistance of the EDA.

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Approximately 120 members of the Lithuanian Armed Forces assigned to the European Union Battlegroup (EU BG) formed jointly with military personnel of the United Kingdom, Latvia, the Netherlands and Sweden, are taking part in an exercise held in the United Kingdom to evaluate the readiness of the UK-led multinational EU Battlegroup for the standby period from July 1 till the end of 2013.

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On May 1 and 2 instructors of the Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) of Ghor held a workshop for members of the Afghan National Police of Ghor on the threat of IEDs and mines.

At the two-day workshop police officers of Chaghcharan Community Police Unit enhanced their knowledge on explosives and the threat they pose. One of the main tasks of the police unit is work with local communities, schools and religious organisations.

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On May 2 through 10 command and supply vessel “Jotvingis” (N42) of the Lithuanian Navy is taking part in “Baltron Squadex I/13” exercise of the Baltic Squadron (BALTRON) held in the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Latvia. Mine countermeasures vessels “Sūduvis” (M52), “Kuršis” (M53) and “Skalvis” (M54) of the Lithuanian Navy will join the training event on May 7. Mine countermeasures vessel “Viesturs” (M05) of the Latvian Navy is also deployed on the exercise.

The exercise will drill the participating ships' crews’ skills to conduct manoeuvring, mine clearance, ship detention and inspection at sea tasks. The participants will also learn actions related to ship convoy, search and rescue, assistance and provision of supply, towing, mine clearance, and to other procedures.

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On April 30 a change of command ceremony took place at the Joint Control and Reporting Centre (RCR) in Karmėlava. After a three-year term Lieutenant Colonel Fredi Karu (Estonian Air Force) was replaced by Major Povilas Cicėnas (Lithuanian Air Force).

The rotation of command ceremony was attended by Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force Major General Edvardas Mažeikis, Commander of the Latvian Air Force Colonel Aivars Mežors, and unit commanders.

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