Seimas marks the 15th anniversary of Lithuania’s Membership of NATO

Press release, 29 March 2019

Photo by Dž. G. Barysaitė, Office of the Seimas

 

The Seimas marked the 15th anniversary of Lithuania’s membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) by holding a debate on NATO’s importance for Lithuania’s statehood in the context of 15 years of NATO membership on 29 March 2019.

Photo by Dž. G. Barysaitė, Office of the Seimas

 

Rasa Juknevičienė, Head of the Seimas Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, took the floor at the debate to recall Lithuania’s journey towards joining NATO. ‘I still remember my first in a lifetime visit to the NATO Headquarters in Brussels in 1997. While on a plane on my way there, I was believed I would be able to explain the reasons why NATO needed to take us in immediately. After all, our nation had been suffering for so long that we deserved membership as soon as possible for this fact alone. Once in Brussels, I seized the first opportunity to share my thoughts during lunch with somebody who happened to be an Italian military officer serving in NATO. He listened to me carefully and replied, after a moment’s thought, “why do you believe that American, Italian or British mothers should be willing to let their sons die for your homeland at a time when the funding you spend on defence is barely enough to purchase a pair of shoes per soldier per year?” For me, this was my first awareness-raising lesson on defence, NATO, and the responsibility and solidarity involved.’

Photo by Dž. G. Barysaitė, Office of the Seimas

 

Ambassador Tacan Ildem, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, said that ever since its accession to NATO, Lithuania demonstrated time and again in word and in deed that it was a strong and committed ally. ‘Last year, you pledged to spend 2.5 % GDP on your defence investment by 2030. This important commitment amassed impressive cross-party support in Lithuania. You have maintained support, since the early days of your nation’s membership, to NATO operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan, projecting stability in different parts of the world beyond our immediate neighbourhood.’

Photo by Dž. G. Barysaitė, Office of the Seimas

 

Saulius Skvernelis, Prime Minister, pointed out that Lithuania was more secure than ever, yet not entirely secure in the vicinity of a neighbour state consistently violating the principles of international law, invading the territories of sovereign states, and openly challenging the Western world. Therefore, Lithuania’s determination to maintain active participation in international operations, in line with the fundamental principle of solidarity as the core principle of the Alliance, remained vital.

According to the Prime Minister, Lithuania’s decision to further increase defence spending has been identified as an example to other NATO partners on many occasions. ‘Had we started to invest responsibly into our security 15 years ago, our armed forces would be in quite a different shape today. This is why I can certainly understand the indignation of our partners in the United States of America about the low European commitment to the capabilities of the entire Alliance. Apart from demanding this from our partners, we must also make a significant and real contribution to our own security.’

Photo by Dž. G. Barysaitė, Office of the Seimas

 

In the opinion of Gediminas Kirkilas, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, former Chair of Committee on European Affairs and former Minister of National Defence, the accession to the North Atlantic Alliance is a cornerstone of Lithuania’s statehood and security and an important milestone in the country’s history. However, new challenges are emerging. ‘Political consensus on defence, security and foreign policy remains crucial regardless of the past achievements. This is chiefly because we expect the troops of the Alliance to help us guarantee regional defence. This, in turn, requires our own contribution. Participation in missions alone is no longer sufficient in the context of the significant internal problems in NATO and the changing role of the US. This sends a clear the message to us that we, as Europeans, will have to bear a greater burden than before.’

Photo by Dž. G. Barysaitė, Office of the Seimas

 

The role of solidarity between the members of the Alliance was also raised in the speech by Vytautas Bakas, Chair of the Committee on National Security and Defence. ‘NATO has added value only if we manage to stay united and demonstrate the collective will to defend our territories. There should be no doubts about Lithuanian presence in the Southern countries of the Alliance, should they be in danger. In the same vein, nobody should nurture the idea that Lithuania or other countries in our region, when in trouble, will be left alone.’

In the words of the Chair of the Committee, there is a need to find a formula of cooperation between NATO and the European Union that strengthens both the transatlantic link and the defence capabilities through fair burden sharing.

Photo by Dž. G. Barysaitė, Office of the Seimas

 

Lt Col Keith Alexander Moody, representative of the NATO Force Integration Unit in Lithuania, said at the debate that after the 2014 invasion of Ukrainian territory, nations realised they had given up the skills and capabilities for the collective defence of their homelands, something that they were very good at in the Cold War. Therefore, they had to relearn the old lessons and develop the military capabilities to better defend their territories against modern and capable military forces.

 ‘This is an expensive requirement that demands long-term planning, strategic thinking and financial commitments. Lithuania has embarked on this process and you have made exceptional investments not only to enhance your own military capabilities, but also to receive and support Allied forces deploying to Lithuania for training, and if necessary, for operations. This demonstrates clearly Lithuania’s commitment to, and integration in, NATO.’

 

 

Saulė Eglė Trembo, Chief Specialist, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6203,  e-mail: [email protected]