MEMBERSHIP ACTION PLAN
CO-ORDINATION COMMISSION FOR INTEGRATION INTO NATO
NATIONAL NATO INTEGRATION PROGRAMME
TRANSPARENCY AND CO-ORDINATION AMONG THE ASPIRANT COUNTRIES
SUMMARY OF LITHUANIAN NNIP
 

MEMBERSHIP ACTION PLAN

To allow applicant countries to better prepare for assuming the responsibilities of membership and to assist the applicants in preparations for eventual accession, NATO has provided a solid mechanism - the Membership Action Plan (MAP). Lithuania expects that the MAP, together with an enhanced PfP programme, will constitute a very practical and membership-tailored element of NATO's "open door" policy. There is an unwavering determination to proceed along this path and make the MAP a real success for Lithuania, for the Alliance, and for our common goal of European security.

GOVERNMENTAL CO-ORDINATION COMMISSION FOR INTEGRATION OF LITHUANIA INTO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION

On April 29, 1999 Lithuania established a Co-ordination Commission for the Integration into NATO and approved the regulations on its activities. It is meant to enhance Lithuania’s administrative capacity and institutionalise internal co-ordination among the government ministries to improve the preparations for the accession negotiations with NATO. The Commission was tasked to prepare a National NATO Integration Programme (NNIP).

In the Commission, headed by the ministers of foreign affairs and national defence, 13 governmental institutions are represented at a vice-ministerial level. It has held two meetings and established six working groups: on Political and Economic, Defence/Military, Resources, Security, and Legal and Public Awareness issues.

The Commission is tasked to report regularly to the Lithuanian Government about Lithuania’s implementation of the preparation plans for NATO membership and to make suggestions relating to the implementation of the MAP. The Commission provides the Government with a report on activities and recommendations twice a year, and, when requested, additional projects of decisions to further prepare for NATO membership.

LITHUANIAN NATIONAL NATO INTEGRATION PROGRAMME

• The Lithuanian NNIP was prepared by the Lithuanian Government’s Co-ordinating Commission for the Integration into NATO, and on 1 September 1999 was approved by the Government of Lithuania. The Programme defines objectives and sets forth targets for Lithuania’s membership preparations.
• On September 8, 1999, Ambassador Linas Linkevičius, Head of Lithuanian Mission to NATO, submitted the Programme to NATO HQ. Lithuania was the first country of nine NATO aspirants to submit its national programme to the Alliance.
• On September 14, 1999, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Algirdas Saudargas, held a briefing on the Programme for the ambassadors of NATO countries, residing in Vilnius.
• On September 28, 1999, a Lithuanian - NATO Team meeting took place. The delegations discussed a wide range of topics pertaining to the Political and Economic section of Lithuania’s NNIP. Special emphasis was placed on issues of NATO enlargement, NATO’s Strategic Concept, Lithuania’s contribution during the Kosovo crisis, and Lithuania’s relations with its neighbours.
• On November 9, 1999, a meeting with the NATO Special Political Committee (Reinforced) took place, where an update on Political/Economic Issues of the Lithuanian NNIP was discussed. All NATO countries’ representatives commended Lithuania for a solid National Programme, and in view of that they provided initial feedback and had a number of important comments and questions.
• 7-9 February 2000, a Lithuanian-NATO Team meeting took place. The delegations discussed Defence and Resources Issues of the Lithuanian NNIP. Consultations on PARP PGs and PfP Assessment also took place.
• 6-7 March 2000, a meeting with the NATO Team took place in Vilnius, where delegations discussed arms control and verification issues.
• 29 March 2000, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Andrius Kubilius, met with the North Atlantic Council in the framework of the Membership Action Plan. NATO countries' representatives stated that Lithuania has made considerable progress in implementing its Annual National Programme. The Alliance also noted that the areas of public information policy on security issues, effective defence planning, and management of personnel involved with NATO should be given priority in Lithuania’s NATO integration process.

Lithuania clearly realises that successful preparation and implementation of the MAP requires transparency between aspirant countries. Therefore, in August 1999 trilateral consultations with Latvia and Estonia on the MAP were held and an exchange of programmes occurred.
Political consultations with other aspirant countries - Slovenia and Slovakia also took place during September - October 1999. Lithuania intends to hold political consultations on MAP-related issues with all the aspirant countries.

In line with the ongoing processes, the Governments of Lithuania and Slovenia will be hosting an international conference; “NATO’s Role in the Changing Security Environment in Europe” in Vilnius on 18-19 May 2000. This initiative has been presented and support for it has been received from all the NATO aspirant countries expected to participate at the conference at the ministerial level. The aim of the conference is to discuss NATO’s role in strengthening the security environment in Europe and its ability to meet new policy challenges. Lord Robertson, NATO Secretary General, and Valdas Adamkus, President of Lithuania, will welcome participants to the conference.

SUMMARY OF LITHUANIAN NNIP

The Programme addresses Political and Economic, Military and Defence, Resources, Security and Legal issues of Lithuania’s integration into the Alliance and defines areas of consultation with NATO.

Political and Economic Issues
Lithuania’s achievements in the political and economic area, its foreign and security policy priorities, and its contribution to Euro-Atlantic security and stability, substantiate Lithuania’s readiness to assume the obligations and commitments under the Washington Treaty and the relevant provisions of the Study on NATO Enlargement. Lithuania is fully prepared to share the roles, risks, responsibilities, benefits and burdens of common security and collective defence and to subscribe to the Strategic Concept and other Ministerial statements.

Defence/Military Issues
Lithuania is establishing a solid Defence/Military foundation by developing the overall capabilities of its armed forces and enhancing interoperability. This will enable the country to defend its sovereignty and protect its democratic values, while simultaneously contributing to the effectiveness of the Alliance. The NNIP places great emphasis on the need to prepare force structures to contribute militarily to collective defence and to the Alliance’s new missions. Lithuania has adopted a firm commitment to a progressive ten-year modernisation and procurement programme to improve its military capabilities. The development of Lithuania’s defence system has two main components: development of self-defence capabilities; and development of an Armed Forces capable of operating in conjunction with NATO or as a part of the Alliance Forces.

Resource Issues
Lithuania recognises the necessity of appropriating sufficient human and budget resources to implement both its national self-defence requirements and upon accession, all Alliance commitments, roles and responsibilities. The Government has undertaken a comprehensive review of its defence budget and allocations in accordance with declared national security priorities and those of NATO to evaluate the effectiveness of current and future defence budget expenditures in meeting its objectives. Lithuania's commitment to develop its defence capabilities is demonstrated by the Government's decision to increase defence spending from 0.8% of GDP in 1997 up to 2% of GDP in 2001.

Security Issues
Lithuania has actively undertaken measures to ensure that, upon its accession to the Alliance, it will have in place sufficient safeguards and procedures to protect the state’s most sensitive information. The Government has determined that INFOSEC should be considered as the first priority. Lithuania is pursuing these actions in accordance with NATO security policy to guarantee the security of classified information as well as to protect important military, political, economic, and other information whose loss would harm Lithuanian state interests.

Legal Issues
Lithuania expects, upon accession to NATO, to make its legal system compatible with basic NATO legal regulations. In accordance with the terms outlined in the Membership Action Plan, Lithuania has started a review of its domestic legislation and agreements, which regulate the defence/military field and govern wide-ranging cooperation with NATO and its members. Lithuania intends to complete the legal analysis of NATO’s documents provided in the MAP before the end of the year 2000.