COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS STATEMENT ON PREPARATION FOR THE NATO SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT TO BE HELD IN BRUSSELS ON 11-12 JULY 2018 (27 June 2018)

The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania,

having regard to Resolution No XIII-9 of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania of 15 November 2016 on the Consistency and Continuity of the Foreign, Security and Defence Policy of the Republic of Lithuania in 2016-2020 and the Accord between the political parties represented in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania on strategic guidelines for the foreign, security and defence policy of the Republic of Lithuania for 2014-2020;

stressing that NATO, which will be marking its 70^th anniversary next year, is the most important transatlantic alliance of countries promoting the values of democracy, individual liberty and rule of law, a forum for cooperation between the countries of North America and Europe as well as a guarantor of collective defence;

welcoming the progress achieved in NATO adaptation to the changing security environment initiated at the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Wales in 2014, especially in the area of collective defence, enhancing military capabilities and societal resilience;

emphasising that the deployment of the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence battle groups in the Baltic States and Poland, following the decision taken at the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Warsaw in 2016, has become a major element of NATO deterrence posture, which has significantly strengthened the security of Lithuania and the entire region;

expressing gratitude to all the allies participating in the German-led NATO Enhanced Forward Presence battle group, NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission and other activities of the Alliance in the territory of Lithuania;

highlighting the importance of the US persistent military presence in Europe, especially in the Baltic Sea region, which complements Alliance’s deterrence and defence efforts;

agreeing that in view of  current security challenges, it is necessary to continue strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence posture;

supporting a proportionate burden sharing in collective defence of the Alliance as an important manifestation of transatlantic solidarity; 

stating that with its aggressive behaviour Russia continues to violate international law and its international obligations by carrying out unsafe activities in the air and at sea, conducting unannounced large-scale military exercises, while its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and continuous militarisation of the Kaliningrad Region has a negative effect on the security in the Baltic Sea Region; it consistently strengthens conventional and offensive capabilities and uses them to achieve its foreign policy objectives, employs hybrid means in order to destabilise neighbouring countries and the entire Euro-Atlantic community;  

being aware of concerns of many allies over the threats emerging from the Middle East and North Africa, namely terrorism, uncontrolled migration flows and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; 

notes that NATO is an indispensable guarantor of transatlantic security whose strength stems from strong transatlantic ties, unity among the countries of Europe and North America and their commitment to ensure each other’s defence and security;

underlines that it is necessary to fully implement the collective defence and deterrence initiatives launched at the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Warsaw in 2016 and to raise the overall level of preparedness of the Alliance to respond to current threats and is of the opinion that the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence battle groups deployed in the Baltic States and Poland need to be joint-enabled with air and maritime elements and that due attention must be given to the rapid and effective reinforcement, readiness of armed forces, development of NATO’s regional air defence and maritime dimension, as well as ensuring of the smooth movement of NATO forces in the Atlantic and across Europe, and the ability to act in a hostile environment; 

stresses that it is important to complete as soon as possible the NATO Command Structure reform, to adapt the defence plans having regard to the threat posed by Russia and to optimise NATO’s decision-making processes;

is of the opinion that at this stage there are no conditions to resume cooperation between NATO and Russia as long as Russia poses a threat to international security, takes aggressive and destructive actions against the Euro-Atlantic community, uses military force in eastern Ukraine, occupies part of the territory of Georgia and has an illegal military presence on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, as well as aims to negatively affect the security situation in NATO’s Southern neighbourhood and violates the norms and principles of international law, thus there is no ground to review the level of political dialogue with Russia which was approved at the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Warsaw in 2016;

firmly supports NATO’s Open Door policy, which contributes to strengthening the security of the Euro-Atlantic area, and therefore expects participants of the NATO Summit to express their full support for the aspirant countries and to take further steps towards achievement of this goal taking into consideration the individual progress made by each aspirant; 

considers that the historic agreement between Greece and Macedonia on the name of the state of Macedonia is clearing the way for access talks with Macedonia, which is the last country party to the 2000 Vilnius Statement regarding political and practical cooperation in seeking NATO membership and member of the Vilnius Group which has not yet acceded to the North Atlantic Treaty;

is of the opinion that the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Brussels is an important occasion to highlight support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, this year marking the 10^th anniversary of the war with Russia; also bearing in mind that this year marks the 10^th anniversary of the establishment of the NATO-Georgia Commission, it is necessary to recall the promise made in 2008 at the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Bucharest regarding Georgia’s membership of NATO, to emphasise Georgia’s progress in implementing the available practical tools to  prepare for eventual NATO membership, to stress steady political will and public support in Georgia for Euro-Atlantic integration;

is convinced that Ukraine’s participation in the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Brussels at the highest level will send a clear message of political support and will make it possible to reassert the united position regarding non-recognition of the unlawful occupation and annexation of Crimea, the militarisation of the peninsula and the continuing Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine, to ensure the continuing political support of NATO and the Allies for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and practical support for reforms in Ukraine’s security and defence sector and to welcome Ukraine’s determination to seek NATO membership;  

believes that by building the defence capabilities of partner states, launching a training mission in Iraq, providing support to the Afghan Security Forces, contributing to efforts of the international community in combating terrorism, NATO can help to effectively counter the threats emerging from the South; also stresses that the challenges posed by migration and the threat of terrorism remain an important issue on the political agenda of NATO Allies and the European Union Member States, thus Lithuania stands in solidarity and is committed to the 360-degree approach to security by continuing, together with NATO Allies and partners, to participate in the US-led Inherent Resolve Operation, the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan  and by supporting the security forces of Afghanistan;

notes that close cooperation between the European Union and NATO helps to effectively pool efforts and avoid duplication of activities in countering hybrid threats, strengthening cyber defence and addressing other security challenges, and it is especially important for the purposes of ensuring Lithuania’s security to use the tools available to both organisations to ensure the rapid arrival of reinforcements, therefore, the European Union and NATO should work together to ensure the smooth movement of military forces across Europe;

emphasises that as long as Lithuania and other NATO member countries remain the target of hybrid attacks and with a view to counteracting cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, energy blackmail, aggressive intelligence activities, political corruption and the use of chemical warfare agents, it is important to strengthen NATO’s ability to recognise, respond and defend against hybrid threats and exploit the opportunities offered by cooperation between the European Union and NATO;

stresses and reminds that, in order to achieve a fair burden sharing in the Alliance, also contribute to transatlantic solidarity and being aware that the defence of a country, the security of its citizens and the implementation of the commitments undertaken under the North Atlantic Treaty are the national responsibility of each member state, in 2018 Lithuania has allocated 2 per cent of GDP for national defence and calls on the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, based on point 18.1.1 of the National Security Strategy approved by Resolution No XIII-202 of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania of 17 January 2017 amending Resolution No IX-907 of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania of 28 May 2002 on the Approval of the National Security Strategy, to consistently increase these appropriations and to ensure the efficiency of defence-related investments, to give due attention to the strengthening of civil society and its resilience;

proposes that the President of the Republic and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania take into consideration these provisions when drafting and presenting Lithuania’s position at the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held on 11-12 July 2018 in Brussels.

Chair of the Committee    Juozas Bernatonis