News

The representatives of Lithuania and Belarus exchanged information on the size of their military forces and their structure, and data relating to the most important military activities that are planned in 2008. Both countries provide this information in accordance with methodological requirements and transparency standards that are set out in the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE).

Lithuania is not a party to the CFE Treaty and is not obliged to provide other CFE parties with such information. Nevertheless, this measure is implemented in accordance with the bilateral arrangement with Belarus, which was agreed in 2001. The arrangement with Belarus provides for voluntary mutual exchange of military information in accordance to standards and requirements established in the CFE Treaty. This arrangement also foresees a possibility to conduct mutual inspections and evaluation visits above the quota established by OSCE Vienna Document 1999 on confidence and security building measures.

A similar arrangement on the implementation of additional confidence and security building measures was concluded with Russian Federation in 2001 on Lithuania’s initiative. Pursuant to the arrangement, the countries exchange annual military information according to the requirements of the CFE Treaty and conduct additional evaluation visits to assess the military information provided.

Lithuania hopes that the similar exchange of information with Russia, prepared under the CFE standards on the structure and scope of military forces, will take place soon, as is set out in the arrangement.