Address
by Mr. Linas
Linkevicius, Minister of National Defence
of the Republic of Lithuania
at the Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
Mr. Secretary General,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Lithuania values Partnership for Peace for a number of good reasons.
Indeed, I think the PfP can definitely be called one of the most successful
NATO and Partner initiatives of this decade. We believe, such a success
has been possible due to the flexible, practical and innovative character
of the programme.
No secret, that Lithuania has always viewed its participation in the
PfP through our main objective of getting better prepared to assume obligations
of a NATO member. And we are confident of the rightfulness of this approach.
The flexibility of the PfP that accommodates the needs of both aspirant
and non-aspirant countries is indeed a key to its success.
Our criteria in choosing practical activities that are available through
the Partnership Work Programme correspond to Lithuania's two-fold objective.
First, strengthen self-defence capabilities through developing effective
armed forces and well-functioning defence establishment; and second, enhance
NATO interoperability for NATO-led Peace Support -- or any other type
-- operations that Lithuania might be involved in. Instruments such as
Planning and Review Process, OCC, and NATO DCI are good tools in streamlining
Lithuania's work in achieving its objectives. What we realise in practise,
however, is that our target goals must be backed with appropriate financial
and human resources. In this context, the new Government of Lithuania
is committed to increase the defence expenditures up to 1.95 % of GDP
for the year 2001.
It is in this light that we follow the implementation of Defence Capability
Initiative, which is defining defence development trends in NATO. We appreciate
the Alliance decision to consider such critical areas as mobility, deployability,
sustainability and interoperable and effective command, control and communications
not only for Allies but also when developing PGs package for Lithuania
and other aspirant and partner countries. This provides a good framework
to synchronise Allies Force Goals and Aspirant Partnership Goals. The
DCI is a timely and adequate response to the Euro-Atlantic security needs
and new challenges. We also think, that resulting capabilities are necessary
for both NATO and EU operations.
Mr. Secretary General,
Let me briefly reflect upon the NATO - EU relationship. Recently, at
the Capabilities Commitment Conference in Brussels countries have pledged
their contribution to provide forces to implement the full range of EU
Petersberg tasks. Lithuania has also presented its national contribution
that is and will be available both for EU and NATO.
We welcome the EU decisions over Common European Security and Defence
Policy and the Head Line Goal to establish European crises management
capabilities. As the future EU member, Lithuania wishes to be involved
as appropriate both in the decision shaping as well as by practically
contributing to the Head Line Goal. We believe, that the European crisis
management apabilities have a good reason to reinforce EU's capacity for
action. They could also contribute to and complement the strengthening
of ESDI and DCI within NATO. We are convinced, however, that the success
of this process depends very much on whether it is conducted in full cooperation
and consultation between the EU and NATO.
Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, Lithuania has begun the second MAP cycle.
We are happy with the results so far, and will be working vigorously to
make further improvements. While utilising all available instruments under
the framework of Membership Action Plan, Lithuania will continue to actively
use all the bilateral cooperation activities with NATO and Partner countries
and will rely on advise stemming from these programmes.
Cooperation among the Nine aspirant countries - which was successfully
started in Vilnius last May - provides a good opportunity to exchange
views on various aspects of our NATO preparations. Therefore, Lithuania
will take active part in further activities pertinent to such cooperation.
Thank you for your attention.
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