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Ladies and Gentlemen,I am delighted to welcome all of you in Vilnius. For us, it is an honour to have this meeting in Lithuania, a country that will soon join the European Union and NATO. We do hope that the unique atmosphere of this city, along with our hospitality and your participation, will contribute to the success of this timely and truly important discussion. Here, at the shores of the Baltics, NATO’s mission may seem accomplished. Freedom and democracy have been restored in our region, and the tradition of dialogue and cooperation has prevailed. But NATO’s mission surely continues in Europe and in the regions beyond, where new security challenges are emerging. Threats like international terrorism show that common action remains indispensable to our security. Today, on the 54th anniversary of the Washington Treaty, it is due to underline the historical value of NATO. It has been the most enduring and successful alliance in history, and its 54 years of activity are a constant reminder of how to build and strengthen our common security.We have to build on this experience of working together in order to maintain NATO effective and active. Yes, NATO is a collective defence organisation. But we also know from the past that pro-active policies have been its key to success. NATO has shown great flexibility in adapting to new security and political challenges. In this respect, the forthcoming enlargement is a vivid, compelling example.At present, the marginalisation of NATO in the 21st century Europe can be singled out as a major concern in the ongoing discussions on NATO’s future. In fact, NATO may turn into a secondary security organization, if the transatlantic division takes place. As a result, two alliances would emerge, one rejecting the transatlantic relationship as a feasible security factor and another building on pro-active transatlantic policies. Recent developments around Iraq contain some symptoms of such a scenario. Yet, how do we in Lithuania perceive the future of the transatlantic partnership?We believe that NATO must remain an effective collective defence organization. The mutual commitment provided by Article 5 guarantees was and, hopefully, still is at the core of European and transatlantic security. Its political viability was highlighted by September 11 tragedy, but its military cohesiveness is still open to challenge. As a new member, Lithuania will contribute, politically and military, to the unity of the transatlantic Alliance.We also realize that NATO must adapt to the changing global security environment. Yes, we want a pro-active alliance. This does not necessarily mean that NATO must participate in every single conflict occurring in the area of transatlantic interest, although this capacity should be reinforced. This does mean, however, that NATO should not fall into the lethargy of reactive policies, which it, as a defence organisation, is exposed to.Past experience can be of great value to identifying possible areas of common action. Conflict management, fight against international terrorism are now debated actively among the Allies. But as we discuss it, let us also bear in mind an area where the Alliance has already proven itself. That is, expanding stability and cooperation across the borders. An enlarged NATO will have neighbours that play a vital role in Europe’s development. The more successfully Russia, Ukraine and other Partnership countries are engaged in European security cooperation, the more rapid will be the consolidation of the principles the 21st century security making.We therefore must think of strategies that NATO can offer to its new neighbours. Who and how is to decide how far and how fast our cooperation with these countries should go? What are the resources available? I must admit that in this area, the European Union is way ahead of the transatlantic alliance.Lithuania is ready to share its experience and contribute to building NATO’s future partnership with the new neighbours. We have already proposed specific military cooperation projects to the Caucasian nations. We have valuable cooperation experience with such countries as Russia and Ukraine. All this will definitely serve the needs of the Alliance.Ladies and Gentlemen, I am sure that at this APAG session, all these issues will be discussed in detail. The very fact that representatives of more than 40 countries are here to exchange ideas speaks of a NATO that is open, viable, and effective. A NATO which we all can build together.Thank you.