Germany and the Netherlands have assumed greater joint responsibility for NATO’s deterrence and defense mission on the alliance’s eastern flank ahead of next week’s NATO summit.

The German-Dutch Corps will lead NATO’s land forces in Estonia and Latvia while establishing a second tactical headquarters to oversee operations in the region.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin is strengthening its commitment to NATO’s eastern flank alongside the Netherlands, stressing that the mission demonstrates European allies’ ability to take on greater security responsibilities.

The official transfer of command is scheduled for Tuesday in the border city of Valga between Estonia and Latvia, replacing the previous NATO command structure based in Poland.