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HomeMEDIA RESOURCES200810 November 2008 - NATO PA delegation visited Lithuania [Press release]

10 November 2008 - NATO PA delegation visited Lithuania [Press release]

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Energy security, the economic crisis and relations with Russia were the major themes of the visit of a NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegation to Lithuania on 5-6 November. Led by Mr. Michael Mates (UK), Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee (STC), 18 members of the STC and the Sub-Committee on East-West Economic Co-operation and Convergence met with high-ranking Lithuanian government officials, independent experts and scholars, as well as many Ambassadors of NATO countries. The delegation also visited the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

Several speakers stressed that Lithuania is probably the most vulnerable European country in terms of energy security. Its natural gas and electricity sectors are almost exclusively linked to Russian networks, and Moscow has demonstrated a strong tendency to use energy as a foreign policy tool. The situation is expected to worsen in 2010 when, in accordance with its EU accession treaty, Lithuania is obliged to close the Ignalina NPP, which will only increase its dependence on Russian energy unless other measures are taken.

Although Lithuania ’s economic outlook, in some ways, is slightly rosier than in the other two Baltic States, the first signs of the global economic crisis are already apparent. The resilience of the Baltic economies partly hinges on the performance of Scandinavian banks that play a central role in the region’s financial systems.

Many Lithuanian interlocutors stressed that Russia ’s policy towards its neighbours is disquieting. Lithuania has been one of Georgia ’s strongest supporters both before and since the August crisis in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It accordingly strongly supports extending NATO Membership Action Plans to Ukraine and Georgia at the upcoming December meeting of NATO Ministers.

Regardless of the upcoming change of Lithuania ’s government, the country is certain to continue its pro‑Atlantic foreign and defence policy. Lithuanian officials are strongly in favour of increasing NATO presence in their region.
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