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Memorandum of understanding between Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Denmark, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Finland, Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, represented by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Norway, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Sweden, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning Co-operation on the development of BALTBAT Into an Infantry Battalion

The Ministers of Defence of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:

pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding on the formation of the Baltic Peacekeeping Battalion signed in Copenhagen on 11 September 1994, and the Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Estonia, the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania concerning the Baltic Battalion in Tallinn on 10 December 1997, and

considering that the support to the Baltic Battalion is in the spirit of the Partnership for Peace programme, and

taking note of the Agreement among the states parties to the North Atlantic Treaty and the other states participating in the Partnership for Peace regarding the status of their forces and the Additional Protocol thereto done in Brussels on 19 June 1995, and

acknowledging the prospects for assistance from other states,

have concluded the following Memorandum of Understanding.

Section 1. Introduction

1.1. This memorandum of Understanding between the Ministers of Defence of Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, hereinafter referred to as the supporting states, and the Ministers of Defence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, hereinafter referred to as the Baltic states, establishes the co-operative framework for the training and development of the Baltic Battalion, hereinafter referred to as BALTBAT, into an infantry battalion with the capacity to carry out Peace Support Operations and operations contributing to regional stability as mandated by international organisations and conducted in accordance with the United Nations Charter.

1.2. Each supporting state will provide assistance according to its national fields of expertise, within the limits of its national legislation, and according to its own resources and budgetary procedures.

Section 2. Purpose

2.1. The multinational programme of practical assistance outlined in this Memorandum of Understanding is designed to develop BALTBAT into an infantry battalion, thereby enhancing its self-defence capability and rendering it capable of exercising the use of force when required, and to permit the Baltic states themselves to sustain it. This development will involve the acquisition by BALTBAT of organic indirect fire support and a medium-range anti-tank capability, and the ability to undertake Support Weapons Operations.

2.2. The programme is intended to support the development of BALTBAT into an infantry battalion over a period of around two years (according to the Project Plan, an outline of which is at Annex A).

2.3. It is the intention to focus the assistance primarily on training of officers and non-commissioned officers, Support Weapons training and, initially, the continuation of Basic Military Training (the latter will be conducted by the Baltic states themselves from the end of 1998). Attention will also be paid to supporting the three National Training Centres (at Paldiski, Adazi and Rukla) as may be mutually decided by the participants, and to the implementation of the BALTBAT Logistics Concept (including assistance to the Baltic Support Group).

Section 3. Organisation

3.1. To facilitate effective co-ordination and to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and resources, the supporting states (and other donor countries) and the Baltic states will continue to be represented in the Steering Group and Military Group established under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Copenhagen on 11 September 1994. Both Groups will remain under Danish chairmanship. The Steering Group will remain responsible for overall control and direction of the multinational programme of assistance. The Military Working Group will continue to be responsible for developing detailed aspects of the programme and for reviewing and implementing the Project Plan.

3.2. English will remain the training and command language of the Battalion.

3.3. The supporting states will continue to assist with the administrative and legislative work for the development of the Battalion.

3.4. The Baltic states will be responsible for the recruitment, retention, and payment (including their salaries, allowances, and travelling costs) of all BALTBAT personnel and for providing host nations support, in accordance with the Project Plan and the terms of Annex B.

3.5. The supporting states will endeavour to provide assistance to the Baltic states in such a way as to maximise where appropriate the opportunities for interoperability and compatibility.

Section 4. Training

4.1. The supporting states will continue to provide assistance with the organisation and training of the Battalion; and with the planning of its logistics system and training equipment. The emphasis will be on training the anti-tank and mortar platoons and on commanders training (fire support, support weapons etc.). Training support will also be considered for those structures necessary to support the Battalion, including the Baltic Support Group (BSG) and the National Training Centres. Training will be provided in accordance with the Project Plan.

Section 5. Status of Personnel

5.1. In connection with the support rendered pursuant to this MOU, the Agreement (and the Additional Protocol to the Agreement) between the States Party to the North Atlantic Treaty and other States participating in Partnership for Peace regarding the status of their forces (PfP-SOFA) will be applied between those states who are party to the above mentioned Agreement. The relationship between the States who are party to the PfP-SOFA and States who are not party thereto will be regulated in accordance with the spirit of the PfP-SOFA and the Additional Protocol thereto.

Section 6. Security

6.1. Classified information will be transferred only through Government-to-Government channels or trough channels approved by the designated security authorities of the participants concerned. Such information will bear the level of classification and denote the country of origin.

6.2. Except as otherwise stated, all classified information exchanged or generated in connection with this Memorandum of Understanding will be used, transmitted, stored, handled and safeguarded in accordance with the applicable national security laws and regulations of the receiving State.

6.3. Each participant will take all lawful steps available to it to ensure that information provided or generated pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding is protected from further disclosure, except as provided below, unless the other participants concerned consent to such disclosure.

6.4. Consistent with national laws and regulations, participants will not release classified information to any third party - either directly of under freedom of information provisions - without prior consultation with the originating party ant the other participants.

6.5. Consistent with national laws and regulations, the participants will investigate all cases in which it is known or suspected that classified information provided or generated pursuant to this MOU has been lost or disclosed to unauthorised persons. Each participant will also promptly and fully inform other parties of the details of the investigation and of the corrective action taken to preclude recurrences.

6.6. For any facility where classified information is to be used, the responsible party will approve the appointment of a person or persons to exercise effectively the responsibilities for safeguarding at such facility the information pertaining to the MOU.

6.7. Each participant will ensure that access to classified information is limited to those persons who possess the requisite security clearances and have a specific need for access to classified information in other to participate. No individual will be granted access to classified information solely by virtue of appointment, rank or security clearance.

6.8. All visiting personnel will comply with the security regulations of the host party. Any information disclosed or made available to visitors will be treated as if supplied to the party sponsoring the visiting personnel, and will be subject to the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding.

6.9. All classified information exchanged or generated under this Memorandum of Understanding will continue to be protected in the event of withdrawal by any party or upon termination of the Memorandum.

6.10. For the purpose of achieving and maintaining comparable standards of protection of classified information exchanged in accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding, each participant will, upon request, provide information on its national legislation in this regard and will, for this purpose, facilitate consultation in these matters between the relevant authorities of the Participants.

6.11. The competent authorities of the Participants will co-operate in the implementation of these provisions.

Section 7. Withdrawal

7.1. Participants may withdraw from this Memorandum of Understanding by giving three months written notification to the other Participants.

Section 8. Amendments

8.1. This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended at any time, in writing, by the mutual consent of the participants. Once it has come into effect, this Memorandum of Understanding shall be open to accession by third parties subject to the approval of the Participants and to such conditions as they may decide.

Section 9. National law and international obligations

9.1. This Memorandum of Understanding is not intended to supersede national law or international obligations by which the participants are bound. In case of contradiction, national law and international obligations will prevail.

Section 10. Disputes

10.1. Any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of this Memorandum of Understanding will be resolved by consultation between the Participants without recourse to any outside jurisdiction.

Section 11. Effective Date

11.1. This Memorandum of Understanding becomes effective on the date of the last signature and will remain effective until completion of the Project Plan or otherwise mutually agreed.

Annexes:

A. Outline of the Project Plan

B. Responsibilities of the Baltic states

 

Memorandum of Understanding concerning co-operation on the development of BALTBAT into an infantry Battalion signed in one copy in the English language and deposited in the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Denmark which will provide certified copies to each Participant.

 

Hans Haekkerup Andrus Öövel

Minister of Defence Minister of Defence

of the Kingdom of Denmark of the Republic of Estonia

Anneli Taina Tālavs Jundzis

Minister of Defence Minister of Defence

of the Republic of Finland of the Republic of Latvia

Česlovas Stankevičius Frank De Grave

Minister of Defence Minister of Defence

of the Republic of Lithuania of the Kingdom of Netherlands

Dag Jostein Fjaervoll Björn von Sydov

Minister of Defence Minister of Defence

of the Kingdom of Norway of the Kingdom of Sweden

George Robertson

Secretary of State for Defence

of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

 

Annex A

Outline of the Project Plan

Section 1. Introduction

1.1. The aim of this Project Plan is to co-ordinate assistance for the development of BALTBAT into an Infantry Battalion; and to establish mechanisms by which the Baltic states can themselves sustain the Battalion.

Section 2. General Plan

2.1. The Plan has the following elements:

* continuation of Basic Military Training (BMT) and Commanders Training for new recruits (this will be provided jointly by UK/NL until the Baltic states assume full responsibility); and assistance with English Language Training (ELT);

* logistics training and assistance with implementation of the Logistics Concept;

* tactical training, leadership and man-management training of officers and non-commissioned officers, to provide competent leaders commensurate with the increased complexity of the Battalion's tasks;

* training of mortar and anti-tank platoon commanders, followed by specialist and platoon drill training;

* training at battalion level in a Support Weapons environment (including field training exercises (FTXs) and command post exercises (CPXs)).

2.1. At the end of these activities BALTBAT should be trained, formed and organised as an infantry Battalion, and be ready for an operational deployment as such. As may be agreed by the Steering Group, evaluation of BALTBAT's capabilities and limitations will be conducted by a multinational team consisting of representatives from the supporting states (not MWG members). BALTBAT MWG will, however, be responsible for co-ordinating this evaluation.

2.3. Training support will also be considered for those structures necessary to support the Battalion, including the Baltic Support Group (BSG) and the National Training Centres (NTCs) at Paldiski, Adazi and Rukla. This support will be approved and monitored by the MWG.

2.4. Project timescales are shown at Appendix 1.

Section 3. Organisation

3.1. BALTBAT will be organised as follows:

* Battalion Staff

* Headquarters & Logistics Company (HQ&Log Coy)

* Support Company (Supp Coy)

* 3 Rifle Companies (ESTCOY, LATCOY & LITCOY).

3.2. As a guide, total numbers will be a maximum of around 740. The precise organisation and manning of BALTBAT will be determined in the MWG.

 

 

Annex B

Responsibilities of the Baltic States

Section 1. Introduction

1.1. This Annex records the understandings, referred to in Section 3 of the Memorandum of Understanding, reached between the supporting states and the Baltic states concerning the responsibilities of the Baltic states to provide host nation support to the training of the Baltic Battalion (BALTBAT); and to supply personnel to undergo training.

Section 2. Definitions

2.1. In this Annex, the following definitions apply:

a) "receiving State" means the Baltic State on whose territory the training is conducted under the conditions set out in this Annex;

b) "sending State" means the supporting State whose personnel are deployed to the receiving State for the purpose of providing training under the conditions set out in this Annex;

c) "participants" means the Baltic and supporting states;

d) "personnel of the sending State" means members of the armed forces or civilian personnel of the sending State;

e) BALTBAT Training Team (BTT) means the unit responsible for co-ordinating and conducting the training support provided by the sending States.

f) "Training" means basic and specialist individual military training, military continuation, UN training, English Language Training (ELT), Specialist Training, Platoon Drill Training, and Support Weapons Training;

g) "Project Plan" means the plan, submitted by the Military Working Group to Supporting and Baltic States for their approval, which outlines the project phases, including the number of personnel expected to participate in those phases, for the development of BALTBAT into an Infantry Battalion.

Section 3. General Responsibilities

Provision of Personnel for Training

3.1. The Baltic states will make available personnel to undergo training in accordance with the Project Plan. OC/BTT will formulate joining criteria for students, as appropriate, for the proposed training.

3.2. When deployed for training outside their country, each national contingent will be under the command of its own company commander, or the senior national BALTBAT officer present, who will have disciplinary authority over his own troops and who, in the case or minor offences, will be able to award punishment without reference to his national chain of command.

3.3. Absence from training for any reason will be approved in advance by the company commander and the chief English language instructor in the receiving State during English Language Training and with the chief BTT instructor during any military training. Such absences will only be approved in exceptional circumstances, or as a result of illness certified in writing by a qualified medical practitioner.

3.4. In circumstances where either a Baltic State wishes to withdraw one of its soldiers from the programme, or where the instructor finds a soldier unsuitable for the programme, withdrawal will require the joint authorisation of the Ministry of Defence and/or CHOD, as appropriate, of the Baltic State concerned and of the chief instructor of that phase or the training.

3.5. In the event of an authorised withdrawal as described in the above paragraph, the Baltic State concerned will provide a replacement, and train him, at its own expense, to an appropriate standard in English and in military skills (in agreement with OC/BTT and in accordance with para 3.3.above) as quickly as possible.

Host Nation Support

3.6. For each training visit receiving State accepts the general responsibility of providing the services and facilities specified hereunder.

Accommodation

3.7. The projected accommodation requirements are based on the estimated personnel numbers laid down in the Project Plan. The accommodation is to meet the following standards:

* BTT and ELT instructors. Sufficient self-contained, two-or three-bedroom flats (one bedroom per instructor). These are to be clean and hygienic, with hot and cold running water, heating and electricity. The flats should be located as closely as possible to each other, and should have access to an international pay phone for the sole use of the instructors.

Infrastructure

3.8. Infrastructure will be provided to support the training at each national training centre (NTC) during the relevant period. The requirement will be based on the number of personnel expected to undergo as per the Project Plan. All premises used for training (including workshops) are to be adequately heated. The following services and facilities will be required:

a) Classrooms: a sufficient number, with desks and chairs, to meet the requirement at the time. Each will be clean and in good condition, and have electricity, running water, heating and lighting.

b) Offices: a sufficient number to meet the requirement at the time. These will be in a suitable condition, and have electricity, heating and lighting.. All BTT offices will have access to international telephone lines and there will be lines for one fax in each NTC, for official use only. Costs incurred on the telephone lines will be met by the host country. National lines will also be available in at least half the other offices of the National Officers and NCOs.

c) Stores: each NTC should have the following stores:

(I) one for the BALTBAT Training Team;

(II) one for training materials;

(III) one company store per company;

(IV) a sufficient number for the platoons in the Rifle Coy, and for the platoons in the HQ&Log Coy and Support Coy based at the NTC;

(V) an armoury to meet current and future weapon and ammunition requirements for the Rifle Company and the platoons in the HQ&Log Coy and the Support Coy based at the NTC; it should be equipped with a suitable security system and guarded to appropriate standards;

(VI) one for clothing, equipment and miscellaneous items. The Baltic states will appoint a Quartermaster (QM) in each NTC who will be responsible for all BALTBAT equipment located in that NTC. QMs will report direct to CO/BALTBAT.

d) Miscellaneous: each NTC should have access to a gymnasium equipped for collective and individual fitness training; a lecture hall or cinema; and an assault course, fully repaired and safe in every respect.

e) Training Support: each NTC should provide a training co-ordination centre; and the necessary support for range sentries, demonstration troops and enemy forces for the students undergoing training.

f) Maps: each NTC will provide sufficient maps to support the training that is taking place at any given time;

g) Ranges: as required for the conduct of training of infantry companies and support weapons. As a minimum, each NTC should provide a range of up to 500 metres with firing points for at least 30 soldiers and a field firing range with at least the capacity to conduct platoon fire and manoeuvre for 30 soldiers simultaneously. A range with sufficient capacity to permit the firing of heavy machine guns should also be provided. All ranges should be cleared of ordnance and debris and have Range Safety Orders. Warning signs should be displayed around the range and training areas during use

Logistics Support

3.9. Responsibility for Logistics support lies with the Baltic States in accordance with the Logistics Concept (approved by the BALTBAT Steering Group on 25 September 1997). Logistic support should be provided to support the training taking place at the NTCs at any given time. The level required will be commensurate with the number of personnel as per the Project Plan. The following services and facilities will be provided:

a) Feeding and Canteen: sufficient feeding and canteen facilities to meet the requirements at any given time; the food should be of a suitable standard and meet appropriate nutritional requirements;

b) Transport: sufficient dedicated transport for instructors (including ELT instructors) to meet the requirements at any given time;

c) POL: sufficient petrol, diesel oils, lubricants and anti-freeze for all vehicles;

d) Maintenance: one first- and second-line workshop with servicing bay with power, lighting and heating; sufficient garages to store the vehicles allocated to the NTC; and sufficient capacity for the repair of vehicles, arms, electronic equipment, etc.

e) Liaison Officers & Interpreters: one liaison officer per NTC; and interpreters, as necessary, to meet the requirements at any given time.

Customs Procedures

3.10. A general freedom of movement for instructors and BALTBAT personnel and equipment is required and the receiving States should ensure that this is possible. Whenever stores, equipment, etc., are being moved to one or more NTC, the receiving States should provide assistance with customs clearances to facilitate the timely and safe delivery of items to the NTCs.

Medical Facilities

3.11. The receiving State will provide free of charge to the personnel of the sending State access to such necessary medical facilities, as are available. The Sending State may, if they wish, use their own doctors/medical facilities. Consistent with the laws of the receiving State, the BTT medical officer is permitted to import, store, transport between receiving states, and use medical supplies as needed for his duties.

Overflying and Airfield Facilities

3.12. The receiving States will afford overflying rights and airfield facilities for the military aircraft of the sending State and their personnel operating in support of visits covered by this Annex. Arrangements will be made for military aircraft from sending States - while performing activities related to BALTBAT - which land in airfields of the receiving States to be excused from the payment of landing fees.

3.13. Rescue helicopters and airplanes from sending States should - in emergency situations, and on a case by case basic - be guaranteed permission to cross the territory of a receiving State and land (where agreed) in order to evacuate personnel on duty in BALTBAT.

Provision of Equipment

3.14. When equipment is provided, including any provided by other States, for the purpose of assistance with the formation and development of the Baltic Battalion, the Baltic State, to which the equipment has been supplied, will ensure that such equipment in used in direct support of the training and operation of the Battalion. Delivery of equipment to the point of entry in the Baltic states should be accomplished without incurring any landing or arrival fees. The Baltic states should ensure that equipment is able to move freely between NTCs.