Meeting of the Euro- Atlantic Partnership Council in Defence Ministers Session Brussels, 13 June 1997

Intervention by Mr Ceslovas Stankevicius Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania

Mr. Secretary General I would like to use this opportunity to express Lithuanian support to the decisions which were recently made in Sintra. We welcome the decision to establish a Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. It is in accordance with Lithuania's goal to fully integrate into the Euro-Atlantic community and its key institutions on the basis of common values and objectives. We also welcome the concept of the North Atlantic Council that after the Madrid Summit the door of NATO remains open for every applicant country which accedes to the principles of the Washington Treaty. We expect that this policy will be supported by adequate practical steps. We hope that the Madrid Summit will name aspirant countries and confirm the support to their efforts in preparation for the membership in the alliance. We also believe that the decisions of the Madrid Summit should establish further guidelines with clear prospects for accession of other eligible applicant countries. In our opinion, after Madrid the enlargement process should permanently remain on the agenda as a gradual and continuous process. We expect that the signing of the Founding Act with Russia has laid a solid foundation for good relations between Russia and NATO as well as between Russia and all potential members of the Alliance. In particular, we hope that by signing the Founding Act any possibility to hamper the accession of the Baltic States is removed. We value very much the principle of Partners self-differentiation which is a part of the EAPC concept. This principle should help every partner to develop as close relationship with the Alliance as it wishes. The continuation of individual dialogue is also of key importance in this respect. Lithuania is determined to use the possibilities opened by this principle to a full extent. In our view, the implementation of the CJTF concept will play a key role. Other programmes, in particular the "NATO Security Investment Programme", should also be used to assist the interested Partners in developing their abilities to cooperate with the Alliance. Such elements as strengthening of political consultations within PfP and invitation to the Partners to work in various NATO Headquarters as well as the enhancement of the Planning and review Process will facilitate bringing the Allies and Partners together. In conclusion, I would like to say that Lithuania is committed to continue its active participation in all major cooperative undertakings with NATO and Partner countries. By doing so, we pursue two aims: on the one hand we are seeking to make our contribution to security and stability in Europe, on the other hand, we see it as the best means to prepare our country to join the Alliance. Thank you.