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Lithuania wants sovereignty assurances if European border guard force implemented

Xinhua, December 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Lithuanian leaders expressed their support on Wednesday for the European Union's initiative to set up a European Border and Coast Guard, but emphasized that the sovereignty of member countries had to be preserved.

The European Commission proposal to set up the new European Border and Coast Guard was made this week. Under the proposal, in the event of a threat to the security of the EU's external border, the new force formed of around 1,500 experts would be deployed in a member state within three days.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite reflected on the European Commission's proposal before travelling to Brussels on Thursday to attend the European Council which will discuss measures to manage the migration crisis, one of which is the proposed border patrol.

Grybauskaite said the security of external borders was relevant for Lithuania and called the proposal "important and timely."

"However, a decision on the deployment of European border guards must be taken only with the consent of the member state concerned or at its request," said the president in a press release.

Lithuania, EU's eastern border country, was among those urging the EU to strengthen the security of the EU's external borders amid the refugee crisis and Paris attacks.

Saulius Skvernelis, Lithuanian interior minister, said the proposed force should act only with the acceptance of the member countries.

"Unambiguously, this should not infringe on the sovereignty of the member country," Skvernelis told local media on Wednesday.

"In case of crisis, the force should be used only with request and consent of the country," he added. Endit