Given the recent developments in Ukraine and the demonstration of Russia's military power close to Lithuanian borders, the agreement aims to strengthen our national defense. The parties which signed the agreement made a pledge to increase defense spending every year to 2 percent of GDP by 2020.
"Lithuania's freedom and independence is the duty and responsibility of all political forces. The agreement signed today is a clear commitment made to the Lithuanian people that political parties will strive without reservation to ensure secure life for our citizens and successful development for our country. Only working together we will enable faster progress and attain greater prosperity for our people," the President said.
The agreement reaffirms Lithuania's principal foreign policy goal: to reinforce cooperation with our strategic partners - the Baltic and Nordic countries, the European Union and the United States. It also envisages Lithuania's more active involvement in international engagements, including NATO, UN and OSCE missions.
The agreement identifies energy dependence as one of the greatest challenges to national security. It states that Lithuania's strategic goal is to integrate as quickly as possible into the EU's internal energy market and to implement major energy projects, such as the LNG terminal, the Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant and power interconnections with Sweden and Poland. The transport sector and the development of its infrastructure are also placed high on the agenda: the first stage of the Rail Baltica project is scheduled for conclusion in 2015.
All political forces have made a commitment to strengthen Lithuania's information defense capabilities - which includes improving the work of the Lithuanian intelligence and counter-intelligence services so that they are able to ensure swift response to any damaging intent against the state. The Lithuanian society should be regularly informed about the dangers that our country is faced with.
Seven parliamentary parties confirmed their commitment to ensure the national security of Lithuania. The agreement was signed by Chairman of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party Algirdas Butkevičius, Chairperson of the Labor Party Loreta Graužinienė, Chairman of the Homeland Union Andrius Kubilius, Vice Chairman of the Order and Justice Party Kęstas Komskis, Chairman of the Lithuanian Liberal Movement Eligijus Masiulis, Chairman of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania Jaroslav Narkevič, and member of the Way of Courage Party Valdas Vasiliauskas.
