Defence Ministry signs agreement to provide rehabilitation for troops in Birštonas

Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence has signed an agreement with Birštonas resort municipality on providing rehabilitation services to troops, LRT reported. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said detailed plans could be made public by the end of the year.

The agreement creates conditions for developing infrastructure needed by Lithuania’s national defence system in Birštonas.

“The health and rehabilitation services provided by this resort, as well as its experience, knowledge and capabilities, are what the national defence system needs,” Kaunas told journalists at the Birštonas observation tower after signing the agreement.

Birštonas Mayor Nijolė Dirginčienė said the agreement opened up new opportunities for the municipality, particularly in health, wellness and rehabilitation services.

She said the agreement could benefit officials, soldiers and allied forces, while cooperation with the ministry could also lead to infrastructure development in the future.

Kaunas said rehabilitation plans were still at a preliminary stage and that the ministry was also considering Druskininkai and other locations. He said the ministry hoped to announce specific plans by the end of the year.

“The vision is that the capacities currently available in Birštonas could expand, because we see the needs of the army and those of our arriving allies,” he said.