Lithuania comments

U.S. Political Scientists Support Lithuania's NATO Aspirations

Comments from
Lithuanian Information and Press Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Issue 607 -- 01/20/2000

A study, published by the Washington Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, gives NATO membership aspirations of Lithuania the most favourable evaluation.

The study "Strategic Dynamics in the Nordic-Baltic Region: Implications for US Policy" reads that in the year 2002 NATO's expansion must be continued by inviting two South East European states and at least one of the Baltic states to join the Alliance.

Lithuania is specifically named in the study as one of the most likely candidates because, it says, it is already well advanced in its preparation for NATO membership. Apart from this, US political analysts say, bearing in mind Lithuania's good relations with Russia, its membership in the alliance would in effect make the reaction of Moscow less hostile.

The Lithuanian Vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Vygaudas Usackas, described the conclusions by the US political analysts as the recognition of Lithuania's efforts to guarantee national security. "This is a recognition and, at the same time, it provides a stimulus to carry on with our efforts aimed at joining NATO, which means improving the financing of the army and enhancing our diplomatic activity with the neighbouring states," Usackas said.