“I cannot say exactly now when it will be possible to use this training ground, but we want, probably this year, to close all legal issues related to the construction and compensation mechanisms,” Godliauskas told Polish Press Agency (PAP).
He said Lithuania wanted to begin preparatory work and “next year be able to use this area already.”
Godliauskas said there was so far “no agreement between the states under which Poland would finance the construction of the training ground and use it.” Still, he said the site’s location in the Suwałki Gap and joint defense plans made it very important “that we train jointly with Poland.”
He added that Lithuania and Poland had discussed expanding the range onto Polish territory, but environmental regulations and other challenges would make it difficult to enlarge it into a joint cross-border training center.
The issue was discussed during a January meeting in Warsaw between Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas and Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the source text said.
Asked about protests by local residents in Kapciamiestis, Godliauskas said an understanding had been reached.
“It seems to me that in the last three or four months we have had good contact with local authorities and residents. We broke the ice and agreed on how we can reach a consensus on using this area for the construction of the training ground,” he said.
He said Lithuania’s parliament, which opened its spring session on Tuesday, would consider a new bill on the project, including compensation for residents affected by the construction.
Godliauskas said Lithuania’s State Defense Council decided to build the range because the country needs an additional training site for at least one brigade, especially with allied troops present and Lithuania’s armed forces expanding.
He added that Lithuania planned special zones for defense industry development, with simplified tax, environmental and construction rules, and said such a zone could also be created near Kapciamiestis.
Lithuania’s State Defense Council approved the plan for the training ground in December. The defense ministry said the site in the Lazdijai district, part of the Suwałki Gap, was the most suitable location from a military and security perspective. The project still requires parliamentary approval.
(jh)
Source: PAP