*alt_site_homepage_image*
en

LITHUANIA SUPPORTS PUBLIC EU STATEMENT SUPPORTING PROLIFERATION SECURITY INITIATIVE

Lithuania supports the public EU statement in support of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), adopted today by the EU Council in Brussels. The statement supports the Proliferation Security Initiative announced by US President Bush in 2003. The PSI goals complements well to the objectives set out in the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, adopted by the EU Heads of States on 12 December 2003. The PSI can provide an effective basis, consistent with national legislation and relevant international law, on which to impede and stop trafficking in weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. Lithuania also endorses Resolution 1540 adopted by the UN Security Council on 28 April. This Resolution calls for concerted actions to prevent illegal proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery. Lithuania subscribes to the PSI goals and will take all necessary steps in support of interdiction efforts to the extent the national and Community level legal authorities permit. The first annual meeting of PSI participants in Krakow this June will be attended by Undersecretary of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Evaldas Ignatavičius. Lithuania’s officials participated in a number of PSI interdiction exercises. The PSI was first announced on 31 May 2003 in Krakow.