ANNVILLE — On Monday, leaders from the Pennsylvania Departments of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and Community and Economic Development (DCED) met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda at the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary Armory.
The contingent talked about the success of the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 29-year state partnership program (SPP) with Lithuania as well as economic cooperation and expansion.
Through the SPP, the Pennsylvania National Guard and Lithuanian military have participated in multiple training exercises, deployments and engagements, focused on building capacity and interoperability for both military and intergovernmental partnerships.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to meet with President Nauseda to discuss our accomplishments and continued partnership,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “During our 29-year relationship, we have built a special bond comprised of reciprocal trust, respect and gratitude. I look forward to the future and the opportunities for further growth as we continue to support one another.”
The economic impact between Lithuania and Pennsylvania is also a vital component of the SPP.
“The State Partnership Program is an important factor to the security of both Lithuania and Pennsylvania,” said David Briel, deputy secretary of DCED’s Office of International Business Development. “Its impact goes far beyond defense and security. It helps to promote economic, educational and cultural exchanges that increase the visibility of Pennsylvania in Lithuania, which is an excellent gateway to the larger E.U. marketplace.”
Pennsylvania’s relationship with Lithuania began in 1993, as one of the first three partnership programs established after the breakup of the Soviet Union, by the National Guard Bureau matching a foreign country with a state’s national guard. Details on the SPP can be found via https://www.pa.ng.mil/Offices-Programs/State-Partnership-Program/.
To learn more about the DMVA, visit them online at www.dmva.pa.gov or follow them at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.
