The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide part of the financing of the necessary infrastructure for the German armed forces brigade in Lithuania, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
The EU Investment Bank plans to grant the Lithuanian government 540 million euros for the construction of a new military base in Rudninkai near Lithuania's border with Belarus, the EIB and the Lithuanian Ministry of Finance said in a statement. The loan was approved by the bank's board of directors and will be provided to private sector partners selected by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence to implement the project.
“This is an emblematic step in how we support European security“, said EIB President Nadia Calvino in Luxembourg, where she met with Lithuanian Finance Minister Rimantas Šajjus.
Two years after the decision to send German troops to Lithuania to strengthen NATO's eastern flank, the brigade was activated just under a month ago.
A permanent presence of up to 5,000 German soldiers is planned, with a main base at a military training area in Rudninkai, which is yet to be built.
According to information, construction is expected to start in 2026. The site will cover an area of 170 hectares with 11 km of roads and around 150 buildings.