During the meeting, the United States assured of its significant contribution to ensuring NATO’s continuous presence in the eastern part of the Alliance. The United States and other large NATO member countries are seriously considering a possibility to strengthen its forces in the Baltic states.
The Ministers of the Baltic states together with Kerry discussed NATO’s dialogue with Russia. The participants of the meeting agreed that a return to their former way of cooperation with Russia was not possible in the context of Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
Linkevičius and other NATO Foreign Ministers signed the Accession Protocol for Montenegro. Once all the procedures are completed and Lithuania, all the allies and Montenegro have ratified the Protocol, Montenegro will be invited to accede to the North Atlantic Treaty and become the 29th member of the Alliance.
“The decision to invite Montenegro to the North Atlantic Treaty is a clear sign that NATO has pursued its “open doors” policy and no one can restrict a country’s right to choose its alliances or means to ensure security,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.
The participants of the meeting also discussed NATO’s contribution to international stability. Linkevičius stressed that NATO should be equally prepared to respond to threats to its east and south.
