"On 8 February, the decision to extend the mission was made. We have asked to include it into the Chicago smart defense document package as confirmation of a permanent mission. The response was absolutely positive that the 8 February decision will be included in the Chicago document," Zingeris, attending a conference of chairmen of the EU parliaments' foreign affairs committees in Copenhagen, told BNS.
Zingeris also took part in a discussion with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen during the conference.
Lithuania and other Baltic states don't have air policing assets. Based on the decision by the North Atlantic Council, starting in March 2004, when the Baltic States joined NATO, the 24/7 task to police the airspace of the Baltic States has been conducted on three-month rotation from Lithuania's First Air Base in Zokniai/Šiauliai International Airport.
Germany is currently in charge of the mission.
