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On 9th of July Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis briefed the Parliament's NATO Affairs Commission on the country's NATO readiness. Presenting the Lithuania's preparation for the membership to NATO, minister pointed out that Lithuania now is preparing the third membership action plan for 2001-2002 year. Special attention will be paid to the implementation of the public information program, to the relations with neighbors, especially with Kaliningrad region, to the regional cooperation. Talking about the change of the Government, minister emphasized the importance of the continuity of foreign policy in EU and NATO integration. Valionis noted that the agreements signed among political parties and factions on defense policy and adoption of laws necessary for Euro-integration increase the possibility of continuity of foreign policy in EU and NATO integration. The minister stressed the growing public support to Lithuania's NATO bid, which stands at about 60 percent of the population, according to most recent opinion polls. Foreign Minister also noted that most Lithuanians link the membership in NATO with foreign investment and only a small part see it as protection against Russian treat.