Minister of the Interior in Paluknys: We are grateful to the European Commission for the allocated funding
Minister of the Interior Vladislav Kondratovič met with Beate Gminder, Head of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, at the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) Aviation Base in Paluknys.
During the visit, the minister and European Commission officials inspected the new H145 helicopter for border guards, which is intended for the Special Transit Scheme designed to ensure the land transit of people between the Kaliningrad region and other parts of the Russian Federation, as well as for train escorting and rapid response to potential incidents. The cost of the helicopter is 11 million euros.
"Our goal is to ensure the security not only of Lithuania but also of the European Union. The smooth operation of the Special Transit Scheme is an important international commitment, and we approach its implementation with great responsibility, especially considering the geopolitical situation and potential security threats. We are grateful to the European Commission for the additional EU funding provided for this purpose. This is an opportunity for us to strengthen our capabilities, and the newly acquired aircraft will help us monitor train transit to and from the Kaliningrad region more effectively and respond to potential incidents in a timely manner," said Minister Kondratovič.
The European Commission allocated an additional 25 million euros for the Special Transit Scheme. With these funds, the State Border Guard Service acquired the helicopter and other vehicles and specialized equipment to enhance the management of security risks related to the implementation of the Special Transit Scheme.
The Special Transit Scheme is implemented based on the existing European Union and Russian agreement and the commitments defined within it.
The State Border Guard Service is currently strengthening its aviation capacity. In addition to the new helicopter mentioned, it has also recently acquired two more H145 aircraft with specialized equipment. The new helicopters are equipped with video surveillance systems, cargo hook equipment, search and rescue equipment, firefighting equipment, and medical assistance tools, which will allow for more effective security operations and a swift response to emergencies.
In addition to these three new modern helicopters, the VSAT Aviation Division currently operates five more aircraft: two "Eurocopter EC 120B Colibri" purchased in 2002-2003, two "Eurocopter EC 135" helicopters, and one "Eurocopter EC 145" (purchased in 2006).
During the visit, Minister Kondratovič and European Commission representatives also visited the Lithuania-Belarus border, where they discussed the challenges and measures for strengthening the security of Lithuania's state border and ensuring both national and European Union external border security.
"We plan to continue enhancing the preparedness of border guards and invest in modern technologies to ensure that VSAT officers have the necessary tools for border monitoring and security. We are grateful to the European Commission for the support provided so far to Lithuania in responding to hybrid attacks by the Belarusian regime. We take full responsibility for safeguarding not only our own but also the entire EU's external borders, and we look forward to further cooperation with the European Commission to maintain a high level of security," emphasized Minister Kondratovič.
The Minister of the Interior also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in ensuring external border protection and threat prevention, as well as addressing emerging challenges related to illegal migration, smuggling, and other border security issues.