„My deepest condolences go out to the family of the fallen soldier and to the entire Belgian nation. Sadly, a young life has been cut short in such circumstances, but this is the price our allies are prepared to pay. Our task is to do everything we can to reduce the frequency of such tragic accidents. The life of a soldier is risky, the life of a soldier is difficult, but it is significant because it is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all people,“ Nausėda told reporters.
„Thank you for this sacrifice and once again, my deepest condolences to the soldier's loved ones,“ he emphasised.
As announced, a farewell and send-off ceremony for the Belgian soldier who died at the Pabradė training ground will be held in Vilnius and Kaunas on Wednesday.
The first part of the farewell will take place in Vilnius, after which the funeral procession will move to Kaunas International Airport.
The farewell and funeral ceremonies will be attended by officials, with the Belgian contingent, NATO's multinational combat group in Lithuania, and the Iron Wolf infantry brigade standing in formation.
ELTA reports that a Belgian soldier serving in the NATO Multinational Battle Group was killed last week when he was seriously injured during combat training with mortars at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area in Pabradė.
Belgian soldiers have been regularly deployed in Lithuania as part of NATO's multinational combat group since 2017.
Ruginienė bids farewell to soldier killed in Pabradė: a painful experience for Lithuania
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, who arrived on Wednesday to bid farewell to the Belgian soldier killed at the Pabradė training ground, says that the death of an allied soldier is a painful experience for the whole of Lithuania.
„I believe that every life is priceless, and every person who loses their life in such circumstances is one of the most painful experiences, a senseless loss,“ Ruginienė told reporters in Vilnius on Wednesday.
The prime minister emphasised that, although accidents are inevitable, the state must consider what else it can do to ensure the safety of its soldiers.
„I believe that we must do everything we can to protect every soldier, whether they are foreign or Lithuanian. I think that this is just as much of a shock and a painful moment for the army,“ she emphasised.
As announced, a farewell and send-off ceremony for the Belgian soldier who died at the Pabradė training ground will be held in Vilnius and Kaunas on Wednesday.
The first part of the farewell will take place in Vilnius, after which the funeral procession will move to Kaunas International Airport.
The farewell and funeral ceremonies will be attended by officials, with the Belgian contingent, NATO's multinational combat group in Lithuania, and the Iron Wolf infantry brigade standing in formation.
ELTA reports that the Belgian soldier, who served in the NATO Multinational Battle Group, was killed last week when he was seriously injured during combat firing exercises with mortars at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area in Pabradė.
Belgian soldiers have been regularly deployed in Lithuania as part of the NATO multinational combat group since 2017.