News

On September 25, the Lithuanian Government approved the Annual National Programme for Lithuania’s integration into NATO (2002-2003). Lithuania will follow this programme participating in the annual cycle of the Membership Action Plan. The Membership Action Plan is a process of preparation of candidate countries for their membership comprising political, economic, defence, resource, security, legal and other fields. The focus of the Programme is further implementation of the military reform started during the previous years. The political part of the document pays a lot of attention to anti-terrorist measures, cooperation with foreign partners, good neighbourly relations, contents of the National Security Strategy as adopted by the Seimas in May, development of national crisis management system, tackling corruption, restoration of historical justice with respect to victims of Holocaust, protection of national minorities and their integration into Lithuanian society. The data are presented on participation of Lithuanian troops in international operations in Bosnia and Kosovo, plans are laid down for dispatching Lithuanian troops to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the US-led anti-terrorist campaign in Afghanistan. The continuity of Lithuania’s commitment to adequate financing for development of the state defence system is emphasised. The economic part of the document furnishes updated information on economic development and government policy. The document also provides information on the already-implemented and soon-to-be-implemented measures for protection of secrets and integration of NATO legal framework into the Lithuanian national legal system. Under the set procedures of the Membership Action Plan, the document is to be submitted to the headquarters of the North Atlantic Alliance on 2 October. The Inter-Institutional NATO Integration Coordination Commission at the Government of Lithuania drafted the Annual National Programme. This Commission was formed by the Government in 1999 to draft National annual programmes and coordinate NATO integration. The Commission is chaired by Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis.