Address
by
Mr. Antanas Valionis, Minister of
Foreign Affairs
of Lithuania
Strengthening
of Cooperative Security in Euro-Atlantic
Area
Mr. Secretary General, Colleagues
It is my pleasure and privilege to
be here today. In Vilnius this week
we have an event as great as that
of ours in Budapest, the session of
NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Both
gatherings help to build confidence
among states in today's Europe, where
democracy and fundamental values are
not just a concept, but political
and historic reality. NATO has played
an important role in shaping that
reality.
The EAPC is also playing a valuable
role in creating a secure, reunited
and democratic Europe. It provides
us with an inclusive forum for consultation
on political and security-related
issues, such as the situation in Kosovo,
as well as for practical cooperation
activities.
The EAPC has been instrumental in
fostering security by organizing issue-driven
seminars such as regional cooperation
seminars held in Lithuania as well
as Georgia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Uzbekistan
Regional security cooperation should
remain a priority on the EAPC agenda.
Lithuania is continuing its own independent
efforts in this regard, particularly
in Kaliningrad, and is working in
partnership with others, including
the EU and Russia, on cooperative
approaches to regional issues.
Another area of enhanced cooperation
to which Lithuania attributes importance
is PfP, which also encompasses a wide
spectrum of possibilities within the
political-military field. Lithuanian
participation in PfP is guided by
our main objective of readying ourselves
for the obligations of full NATO membership.
PfP is a valuable tool for preparing
our troops for NATO-led operations,
which is on the top of our agenda.
Lithuanian infantry units are participating
in SFOR and KFOR, and a police contingent
- in UNMIK. Last month Lithuania made
an additional contribution to KFOR/SFOR
by deploying an aircraft and flight
crew in the Channel Flight Support
Mission. Such is our practical contribution
to securing stability in the western
Balkans - a massive undertaking, which
will require close practical cooperation
between many partners, especially
NATO and the EU.
Mr. Secretary General,
Opening of the NATO is one of the
major features of strengthening and
furthering security and stability
in the Euro-Atlantic area. Among our
national efforts, let me mention the
agreement on defence policy of Lithuania
2001-2004 concluded by eleven parliamentary
parties a week ago, which sets clear
guidance and ensures appropriate defence
spending for our integration into
NATO.
Cooperation of the MAP/candidate
countries, launched in Vilnius year
ago, has been developed into a sound
process. Political and practical cooperation
of the Vilnius 10 has already brought
positive practical results. We are
happy to welcome Croatia, which recently
associated itself with the group and
common goals at the Bratislava conference.
I agree with our host Foreign Minister
Janos Martonyi, who recently noted
that the long-term security interests
of everyone will best be served by
reaffirming "the transatlantic
relationship through a joint commitment
to enlarge NATO and to strengthen
European defence capabilities".
As a candidate for both EU and NATO
membership, Lithuania believes a bigger
and better NATO and EU, buttressed
by transparent, cooperative relationships,
including the active and visible involvement
of the United States, particularly
in the security field, is essential
to maintaining peace and security
in Europe.
Close cooperation is vital for success
in the Balkans. Therefore, we congratulate
encouraging signs of cooperation between
NATO and the EU in Macedonia, where
leaders of the two organizations have
been coordinating their visits and
diplomatic efforts.
May I conclude by expressing a warm
welcome to Foreign Minister Svilanovic.
His presence here is another encouraging
sign. Lithuania lauds the positive
changes taking place in the FRY and
is convinced that increased cooperation
with NATO will provide new opportunities
for Yugoslavia, for its people and
for lasting peace and security in
the Balkans.
Thank you.
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