According to the report, Juozapavičius, 33-year-old politician who was in charge of the ministry's resources and finances, will hold the newly-established post of defense adviser at Lithuania's permanent mission in the United Nations (UN). The office will cost the state budget nearly 500,000 litas (EUR 145,000) per year.
Defense Minister Rasa Juknevičienė says that debates on establishing the new position of defense adviser at the UN lasted for more than a year. She rejects criticism that the position was created merely to secure a post for the official of political trust before expiry of the government's mandate.
In Juknevičienė's words, Lithuania is one of a few countries of the European Union (EU) that do not have an official to be in charge of UN peacekeeping operations and mission-related matters.
In the past, Juozapavičius has served as adviser to Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis and MEP Vytautas Landsbergis.
Future defense minister critical
Juozas Olekas, the future minister of defense, meanwhile questions the need to appoint Juozapavicius as defense adviser at Lithuania's permanent mission at the United Nations, saying that the new government will reconsider the decision, if there is a chance.
"I think that, amid the considerable decrease in defense funding, 500,000 litas (EUR 145,000) for a single post is not the most necessary decision," Olekas told BNS.
"As far as I know now, as the news were only published yesterday, there was no competition in the beginning, the appointment came retrospectively. In my opinion, the person was appointed in a rush. I don't know whether he's the best representative and the best expert of defense matters, and whether he possesses the experience that would make him the most suitable candidate. If we have a chance, we will discuss the matter at the new government," the Social Democratic candidate said.
In Olekas' words, the designation was not discussed in parliamentary committees. He dismissed the appointment as politically motivated.
