Lithuanian president visits soldiers attending basic military trainings

Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite said on Tuesday every citizen has a constitutional duty to defend the homeland, when visiting the country's soldiers who were attending basic military trainings.
Grybauskaite emphasized that Lithuania's army is professional, nevertheless, the preparedness of all citizens is needed in case the country faces security threats.
She said that all the necessary conditions are provided at Lithuanian army for the youth to receive basic military education.
"Professionally educated, motivated and patriotic youth is a foundation of the country's security," said the President.
The president visited Lithuanian Great Hetman Jonusas Radvila Training Regiment in Rukla on Tuesday. Currently, 198 soldiers are attending the course of basic military training. According to the preisdent's office, 766 soldiers finished the course last year with 90 percent of them choosing the professional military service.
According to the press release, Great Hetman Jonusas Radvila Training Regiment in Rukla is to be used when training the conscripts. Lithuanian government recently approved the law reintroducing military conscription insisting that geopolitical situation in the region has changed and the country needs to strengthen its army's manning.