2018-11-24 11:04 update: 2018-11-26, 10:25
Photo PAP/Radek Pietruszka
Poland has joined a cooperation programme of EU countries regarding common security policy and cyber defence. Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak signed in Vilnius on Saturday a declaration on joining a Cyber Rapid Response Teams project as part of PESCO.
The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)is a mechanism of cooperation of EU countries in the field of security and defence.
"We will be jointly working to create such capabilities, which will make our response very firm and fast in the case of cyber threats, and we know that such threats are real and we are also aware of their source," Minister Błaszczak said.
The programme is aimed at fighting cyber crime, reacting to cyber threats and offering mutual assistance within the EU. Launched on Lithuania's initiative, the programme has already been joined by Lithuania, Estonia, Croatia, Holland, Romania and Spain.
Minister Błaszczak arrived in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Friday for celebrations marking the centenary of the rebirth of the Lithuanian armed forces.
"Our cooperation has been developing very dynamically. "Poland and Lithuania are both in the Enhanced Forward Presence programme, which strengthens our defence and the defence of NATO's eastern flank. We have formed a joint command in Elbląg (northern Poland), with Lithuanian officers being its members," the Polish official stressed.
Later on Saturday, the Polish minister will attend a large military parade and will also meet with his Lithuanian counterpart Raimundas Karoblis. (PAP)
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