News

On 9 October during the discussion ‘NATO’s Role in the 21st Century and the Prospects of its New Strategic Concept’ at Vilnius University, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas said that Lithuania was proud to be part of NATO, the activities and existence of which was based on common values: respect for the law, human rights and democracy.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who was paying a visit to Lithuania, delivered a keynote speech in the discussion.

According to Minister V.Ušackas, Lithuania’s membership in NATO was a step towards a united and free Europe. “This project is still ongoing. Therefore, we speak up for NATO’s further enlargement and will aim at having this principle firmly ingrained in NATO’s new strategic concept,” the Minister said.

The Minister is convinced that the concept should also include ways in which the Alliance should adjust to the new security environment. “There has to be a clearly visible NATO’s presence where it is needed the most. For example, the air police mission in the Baltic States plays this role,” Minister V.Ušackas said.    

According to him, an important NATO’s goal is stabilisation of the security situation in Afghanistan, as the security of the transatlantic community also depends on the security situation in that country. Therefore, Lithuania actively contributes to the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

“We are in Afghanistan, because we believe that in order to guarantee international security and success in combating terrorism, a united effort of the international community is necessary,” the Minister said.

He also highlighted that Lithuania was open for cooperation with Russia. However, this country has to comply with the international law and commitments, and respect the territorial integrity of its neighbouring countries.