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Vilnius, 8 May 2012 The parliamentary parties of the Republic of Lithuania,-          Guided by the Law on the Basics of National Security which provides that decisions on the defence policy and the Armed Forces of Lithuania are taken by the democratically elected civil government;

-          Realising that the fully-fledged life of the Nation and the state is guaranteed by ensuring national security and reliable national defence;

-          Supporting the active role of Lithuania in strengthening the NATO collective defence and security system and the engagement of Lithuania in the European Union security and defence policy;

-          Understanding that the defence reform and the process of transformation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces need to be continued in order to ensure Lithuania’s security and defence and to appropriately meet its international commitments in the framework of its NATO and European Union membership;

-          Believing strongly that the military capabilities of the state need to be strengthened by consistently increasing the funding of the national defence system;

Agree on the key directions of the defence policy of Lithuania, the transformation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the necessity of readiness of the public for defence, the principles of participation in multinational operations, and allocation of necessary financial resources for the national defence system. The parties also commit themselves to adherence to the following provisions. 

Defence Policy of Lithuania 

Acknowledging the need to ensure reliable national defence and to actively contribute to international initiatives aimed to increase the security and stability in the European and transatlantic area and beyond, the parliamentary parties of Lithuania agree that Lithuania will: 

1)     Implement the defence policy underpinned by the balance between its national needs and international commitments by means of strengthening the military capabilities needed for the national defence. Concurrently, Lithuania will seek to ensure an adequate contribution to the development of NATO collective defence capabilities and to contribute to international efforts to promote peace and stability outside the Alliance;

2)     Aim for NATO to remain a reliable organisation of collective security and defence that guarantees the security and defence of its members; actively support the initiatives for NATO transformation and closer cooperation among the allies, which reinforce the readiness of the Alliance to respond to security challenges and possible threats;

3)     Support development of the EU civil and military capabilities in crisis management and conflict prevention in order to develop an effective European security and defence policy with added value;

4)     Aim at reinforcement and effective use of the compatibility of civil and military capabilities, improved coordination of activities of international organisations in rebuilding stability, security, and wellbeing in regions and countries devastated by conflicts;

5)     Contribute to regional and global security and stability, take part in arms control regimes, implement measures to strengthen trust and security, contribute to ensuring national security and that of the allies in response to the threats of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;

6)     Develop actively defence cooperation with countries that seek membership of the Euro-Atlantic security community.  

Transformation of the Armed Forces 

Acknowledging the need to ensure the readiness of the Lithuanian Armed Forces to effectively implement the military goals and objectives, the parliamentary parties support the transformation of the Armed Forces aimed at:

1)     strengthening the national defence capabilities  by implementing the provisions under the Concept of National Armed Defence;

2)     formation of the reserve of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and preparation of citizens for national defence;

3)     strengthening the combat readiness of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and increasing the professionalism of the military personnel.

The parliamentary parties of Lithuania consider that  transformation of the armed forces has to contribute to the building of capabilities designed to fulfil national tasks, including the key task of ensuring defence of the state in case of an armed attack, as well as carry out international commitments. Taking this into account, the parliamentary parties will aim to ensure increased interoperability of the Lithuanian Armed Forces with the NATO and EU forces and development of the host nation capabilities. 

Society and National Defence 

Taking into account Lithuania’s transition to a professional army and the army underpinned by voluntary military service as well as understanding the need to promote public will and ability to defend the state, the Lithuanian parliamentary parties agree on:

1)     conditions for citizens to receive basic military training to be created and other voluntary military preparation for national defence purposes to be promoted;

2)     the Riflemen’s Union to be strengthened as a voluntary military self-defence association so it could comprehensively contribute to the reinforcement of the Lithuanian defence capacities by helping to attract citizens to military service, by taking part in the process of development of civil and national values, and by strengthening the ties between the army and the society;

3)     civic and patriotic education of students and young people on national defence issues to be reinforced;

4)     activities of public organisations that ensure public education on defence issues and thus contribute to the strengthening of national security to be promoted. 

Multinational Operations 

In view of the need to contribute to regional and global security and stability and continued engagement in military and civil operations and missions of NATO, EU, UN, OSCE, and ad hoc multinational coalitions, the parliamentary parties agree as follows:

1)     Lithuania will prioritise engagement in multinational operations and missions initiated on the basis of collective defence and security agreements entered into by Lithuania that directly contribute to the strengthening of security in the Euro-Atlantic area and meet the priorities of the national defence policy;

2)     Lithuania will aim to strengthen the appropriate civilian capabilities that may be used either jointly or separately from the Lithuanian military capabilities in multinational operations and missions.  

Funding of the National Defence System 

The parliamentary parties agree that in order to ensure national security and defence, to implement the Concept of National Defence, make the relevant structural changes to the Lithuanian Armed Forces, as well as honour its national and international commitments it is necessary to guarantee the funding that meets the development plans of the national defence system and:

1)     gradually increase annual allocations for the national defence system and pursue a long-term goal of 2% of GDP to be allocated to national defence;

2)     fund Lithuania’s engagement in unplanned multinational operations from the state budget appropriations additionally allocated to the national defence system to that end;

3)     aim at rational and transparent use of the national defence funds through conducting periodical audit of the Ministry of National Defence and demanding that annual reports of the Ministry of National Defence be presented to the Seimas;

4)     receive appropriate information concerning the largest projects of acquisitions by the national defence system and seek setting appropriate consistent funding for the entire duration of the projects. 

The parliamentary parties of Lithuania acknowledge that the implementation of long-term plans for the development of the national defence system, successful transformation of the armed forces, and increased funding for the national defence system are only possible provided there is agreement between the parliamentary parties that rests on public support. 

The parliamentary parties of Lithuania firmly believe that the security and defence policy guarantees independence, security, and social stability of the Lithuanian state and creates favourable conditions for economic development and greater welfare of its citizens.

Labour Party
Christian Party
Liberal and Centre Union
Liberal Movement of the Republic of Lithuania
Social Democratic Party of Lithuania
Order and Justice Party
“Union TAIP”
Political Party The Lithuanian Nationalist Union
Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats