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On 29 March during the solemn meeting of Seimas to celebrate the first anniversary of Lithuania’s NATO membership Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis underlined that Lithuania’s membership in the Alliance opened new possibilities to strengthen the state and its international stance.

According to the Minister, Lithuania safeguarded by NATO nowadays is a security provider itself, and there is a growing understanding among its inhabitants that security and welfare of today’s world can be ensured only by common efforts.This spring Lithuania accepted NATO leaders’ invitation and undertook leadership of the Alliance mission in Ghor province in Afghanistan.According to A. Valionis, this will be the first time Lithuania will lead a mission of such size and be responsible for peace and security in the territory almost half the size of Lithuania.“The success of the operation and safety of our partners will depend on our decisions and coordination,” the Minister said.According to him, Lithuania’s assistance - not only military - might be needed in the Southern Caucasus and other NATO and EU missions.“I think that striving to open NATO doors to all democratic European states, committed to ensure Euro-Atlantic security, corresponds with Lithuania’s national interests. We should complete the “Vilnius Ten” task – achieve Albania’s, Croatia’s and Macedonia’s membership in NATO. And start a new process which would bring Georgia, Ukraine and other countries of the region closer to NATO”, A. Valionis stated.He stressed that Lithuania seeks NATO to stay strong and effective security alliance and a place for strategic U.S. and Europe’s discussions on the most important tasks of Euro-Atlantic security.