Environment Minister Says Kapčiamiestis Training Ground Project Is Proceeding Smoothly

The Kapčiamiestis training ground project in Lithuania’s Lazdijai district is proceeding smoothly, Environment Minister Ieva Andriulaitytė said after meeting the district’s mayor, Ausma Miškinienė.

The meeting focused mainly on compensation procedures for land acquisition and discussions with residents. “There are no complaints from residents,” Andriulaitytė told ELTA on Wednesday, saying the mayor had provided an update on the situation.

She said the municipality was handling project-related issues smoothly, although several practical questions remained. These involved land management and protected areas. “From the municipality’s side, everything is proceeding smoothly,” the minister said, describing the remaining matters as ordinary working issues that the ministry had promised to examine and answer.

“

There are no complaints from residents.

The State Defence Council decided last December to establish a brigade-sized training ground in Kapčiamiestis, in Lazdijai municipality. It also decided to double the size of the training ground in Tauragė by extending it into Jurbarkas municipality.

The Kapčiamiestis decision previously triggered anger in the local community, including a protest and increased opposition on social media. President Gitanas Nausėda, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas and Army Commander Raimundas Vaikšnoras traveled to Kapčiamiestis for discussions with residents. The Seimas approved legislation establishing the training ground in April.

“

From the municipality’s side, everything is proceeding smoothly.