Lithuania Links Its Greater Security With Entry Into NATO

Lithuania expects greater security and an influx of investments from its entry into NATO.

As Ambassador of Lithuania to the Russian Federation Rigemantas Sidlauskas stated speaking at the seminar Regional Security and Enlargement of NATO in Pskov (the north-west of Russia), Lithuania does not view NATO as an organisation directed against anyone but as a collective security association which can counter the new challenges and threats. Sidlauskas stressed that Lithuania "does not want to be the so-called 'grey zone' on the map of Europe, since this generates uncertainty and a threat of conflict." The Ambassador of Lithuania noted that after the entry of the Baltic countries into NATO the zone of stability and security in Europe will broaden. As he said, at the same time Lithuania sees in its entry into the Alliance "vast possibilities to develop relations with Russia, especially today when new interaction between the Alliance and Moscow is being built." Sidlauskas pointed out that Lithuania already boasted experience of cooperation with the Russian military grouping in the Kaliningrad Region - a Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea. Good contacts have been established, and the sides exchange information.

According to Sidlauskas, Lithuania can make a contribution of its own to cooperation within the framework of the Alliance. As he said, good experience of regional interaction, first of all with the Baltic neighbours of the republic, can become such a contribution.

Furthermore, in its intention to join NATO Lithuania is guided also by economic considerations - Vilnius expects an increase of investments after it enters NATO, the Ambassador pointed out.