News

On 6-7 December, during the meetings of NATO Foreign Ministers, NATO-Russia Council, NATO-Ukraine Commission in Brussels, Undersecretary of Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Žygimantas Pavilionis discussed security policy issues. During a session of the North Atlantic Council, NATO states discussed the priorities for upcoming Summit Meeting of NATO Heads of State in April 2008 in Bucharest. Political guidelines for the operation of the Alliance in Afghanistan were discussed and Euro-Atlantic Community’s support for ensuring security in Kosovo, once its status talks are over, was confirmed.

Top NATO  diplomats also discussed scenarios of the enlargement of the Alliance, relations with the Western Balkan states, Georgia, and Ukraine. Ministers exchanged their opinions on the issues of arms control and relations with Russia, they also briefly discussed new challenges, such as threats to information systems and energy security.

NATO Ministers declared their support for the Alliance’s “Open Door Policy” and encouraged three countries implementing the Membership Action Plan – Albania, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – to continue reforms. Lithuania suggested not to stop after inviting these three countries to join, but to consider possibilities of further enlargement.

The Head of Lithuanian delegation also emphasized that the resolution of Kosovo status is unique and it cannot be a precedent solving other conflicts in the old continent. Ž.Pavilionis stressed the importance of the Euro-Atlantic community’s unity in preventing escalation of situation in Georgia as it develops its transatlantic aspirations, especially in the period of presidential elections.

During the meeting of NATO-Russia Council, Allies unanimously encouraged Russia not to disrupt conventional arms control regime, as Moscow declared suspending its participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE).

Allies welcomed the determination of the new Ukraine’s administration to continue Euro-Atlantic course, expressed support and offered continuous assistance to Kyiv in implementing reforms, first and foremost in transforming the security and defence sectors.