According to Lithuania's Foreign Minister, the terror attacks in Brussels and Russia's ongoing aggression in eastern Ukraine serve as a constant reminder that NATO faces major security challenges from the East and from the South, which require a decent response.
Linkevičius stressed that political will to respond to the threats was not enough, there was a need to strengthen NATO's capabilities for defence and deterrence as well as to enhance the resilience of our societies.
Lithuania's Foreign Minister said that there had been a prevailing consensus within NATO that the Alliance faces major security challenges, so it was necessary to ensure that the process of the Alliance's adaptation was not limited to the implementation of a Readiness Action Plan. Moreover, it is important to address such key issues, as our defence funding, nuclear doctrine, decision making efficiency, and management optimization.
He also drew attention to hybrid threats: "Propaganda causes serious moral damage. The effect that it has on humans is not less important than military aggression, so it must not be undervalued," said Lithuania's Foreign Minister at the NAC meeting.
The discussion focused on NATO's dialogue with Russia. According to Linkevičius, Lithuania, as a close neighbour, is interested in good relations with Russia no less than any other country, however, further relationship with Moscow must be based on concrete facts, rather than illusions or short-sighted purposes. "Russia's actions in Ukraine and Syria have nothing to do with our values," stressed Lithuania's Foreign Minister.
He added that the dialogue with Russia must not be a goal in itself. It must help seeking Russia's altered aggressive position and the renewal of its compliance with the rules of international law and obligations.
The principal political decision-making body within NATO – the NAC – is visiting Lithuania on 23 and 24 March. NAC meetings in Lithuania are chaired by the NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow.
On 23 March, the dinner and a discussion on NATO's adaptation to a changed security environment was also attended by the Minister of National Defence of Lithuania Juozas Olekas and the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Jonas Vytautas Žukas.
The NAC session on 24 March will focus on the region's security situation. A meeting with the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė will also be held.
On the same day, members of the NAC will visit the headquarters and training area of the Mechanized Infantry Brigade "Iron Wolf", where the Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Almantas Leika and the Commander of the U.S. Army Europe Ben Hodges will give a military presentation of allied forces in the Baltic States in the context of today's security challenges.
NAC was established by the North Atlantic Treaty. NAC meetings are held at permanent representative (ambassador) level. It also convenes at the ministerial level and at the level of heads of state and government. NAC is visiting Lithuania at the permanent representative level.
