News

On 26 July by joint accord the Alliance decided to approve Lithuania's application for NATO's Contact Point Embassy in Minsk, Belarus. A Contact Point Embassy is NATO's informal representative office. It informs the general public, the media, academic institutions and communities, NGOs of the neighbouring states about Alliance's activities, objectives and tasks. It also promotes cooperation between the Government of the concerned States and NATO. Lithuanian Foreign Ministry's Security Policy Department Director Kestutis Jankauskas rejoiced at this appointment by the Alliance. The diplomat noted that it was "a well-deserved evaluation of Lithuania's work with Eastern neighbours." According to the Director, Lithuania is preparing to perform the functions of Contact Point Embassy very earnestly and will make every effort to inform the public of the neighbouring states about NATO's role spreading the spirit of security, stability and cooperation. Such a decision by the Alliance confirms that the aspirations pursued by Lithuania as an active regional leader are noticed and valued by the Allies. The functions of NATO Contact Point Embassy in Minsk will be performed by the Turkish representative office until 31 August. Lithuania will take over the functions for two years on 1 September.