Roundup: Lithuania's security needs highlighted during high-profile NATO visit

Ambassadors of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) of NATO paid a visit to Lithuania on Thursday to discuss the security situation and threats in the Baltic region.

It was the first visit by the ambassadors of NATO's principal political body in Lithuania. During the visit, ambassadors representing the 28 allied countries and Lithuanian leaders assessed what needs to be done before the Warsaw summit in July and beyond it, according to NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow.

"We've discussed in depth some of the key issues for Warsaw, including the question of enhancing the forward presence together with more effective capacity for reinforcements," Vershbow said.

Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite noted that the best way for the council to familiarize itself with the security challenges in the region was by visiting the place.

During the discussion with the council members, Grybauskaite emphasized the continuing tense security situation by mentioning the exhibition of military power in the region and high-readiness combat forces deployed by the country's borders.

"That's why we will seek more security and deterrence measures in Warsaw," said Grybauskaite referring to the upcoming NATO's summit in Warsaw in July.

In her words, Lithuania will seek the deployment of more troops of the allied forces in a size of battalion in each of the Baltic states in the summit. Grybauskaite also wants NATO to preposition a brigade-size military equipment unit in one of the Baltic countries.

"As well as anti-missile and air defense systems that would secure Baltic countries from military isolation in the case of military conflict," Grybauskaite said in a joint press conference with Vershbow.

Lithuania also needs defense plans that would be updated according to the real threat scenarios and changing situations, said the president.

She said it's necessary for NATO to speed up the decision-making processes, which would ensure adequate response in the case of threat.

Grybauskaite has highlighted Lithuania's defense budget amounted to around 575 million euro (642 million U.S. dollars), or around 1.5 percent of GDP, with a a goal to increase defense spending up to 2 percent of GDP by 2018. The small Baltic country has also reintroduced mandatory military service which was abolished in 2008.

On Thursday, the council members visited the military training area at Rukla, central Lithuania, where Lithuanian troops have been training with U.S. soldiers. The U.S. armed forces have been rotating their stints in Lithuania and attending joint military exercises since 2014.

"This is a concrete example of Europe and North America standing strong together and demonstrating a transatlantic commitment to Lithuania's security," said Vershbow. Endit