News

NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Admiral James Stavridis, who is on a visit to Lithuania, says that the principle of NATO’s collective defense will remain a key objective of the Alliance in NATO’s new Strategic Concept that is being developed. “Lithuania’s security is being closely watched,” the Admiral said during a meeting with Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis on 13 July.

Admiral J.Stavridis identified several important elements of NATO’s new Strategic Concept: the cyber security, cooperation between military and civilian organizations and crisis management operations. He also mentioned that the Alliance would remain open for countries aspiring to membership in it.

Minister A.Ažubalis said that when speaking about the new threats, the importance of energy security to which Lithuania dedicates a lot of attention has to be mentioned along with cyber security.

The Government of Lithuania has decided to establish the Energy Security Centre since 1 January 2011. The Alliance would also find the Centre useful.

During the meeting, the Admiral thanked the people of Lithuania, its Government and military for their support to NATO and for participation in the Alliance’s activities.

According to J.Stavridis, Lithuania’s military presence is very important for the restoration of stability and security in Afghanistan.

According to the Minister, Lithuanian troops will stay in Afghanistan and will actively contribute to the ensuring security and development activities.

The meeting also focused on significant issues of conventional arms control and transparency-building in Europe, other security policy issues.