PRESS RELEASE

March 29, 2000

On North Atlantic Council - Lithuania Meeting

On the 29th of March H. E. Andrius Kubilius, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, met with the North Atlantic Council. At the meeting, NATO presented a Progress Report on Lithuania's Participation in the Membership Action Plan: 1999 - 2000.

Representatives of NATO countries stated that Lithuania has achieved progress in the implementation of Lithuania's Annual National Programme on the integration into NATO. The presented Progress Report says that Lithuania's Government has devoted much effort to realise the objectives set within ANP.

"Lithuania is on the right path" - said the Chairman at the North Atlantic Council meeting.

Lithuania was also commended for its contribution to international peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo and also for its good and stable relations with neighbouring countries, in particular, with Kaliningrad region of Russian Federation. NATO also encouraged Lithuania's further active participation in regional initiatives.

In the discussions, the representatives of NATO nations highlighted the significance of public awareness on Lithuania's security policy. It was stressed that public support for the country's NATO membership is of considerable importance. Lithuania was advised to focus more attention on defense planning. In this context, NATO Ambassadors noted the necessity that the commitments undertaken by Lithuania are implemented and an increased investment in human resources is pursued.

On the same day, Lithuania’s Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius had bilateral meetings with NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson and Dr. Javier Solana, EU High Representative for CFSP and Secretary General of the WEU. He also had a working lunch with NATO Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Klaus-Peter Klaiber and NATO Ambassadors.

During the meeting with Lord Robertson, the issues of Lithuania's preparations for NATO membership, situation in Kosovo and Lithuania's participation in NATO lead operation were discussed.

During his meeting with Dr. J. Solana, Prime Minister A. Kubilius discussed the issues of strengthening European security and defense policy and Lithuania's aim at deeper involvement into the developing European crisis management capabilities.

Lithuania believes, that membership in NATO and European Union are Lithuania's foreign policy priorities. The achievement of this goal enhance Lithuania's stability and economic development as well as greatly contribute to security of Lithuania and Europe.