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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.