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NATO parliamentary assembly discuss Baltic security challenges

Xinhua, May 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

Lithuanian officials met on Monday with the delegation of the NATO parliamentary assembly to discuss security issues in the region and present Lithuania's objectives for the upcoming NATO summit in Warsaw.

Representatives of the national parliaments of several NATO members came to Lithuania to assess the security situation in Baltic countries and look closer at security measures taken by NATO.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said clearly visible and substantial presence of allied forces is needed in the Baltic states.

"Lithuania, as well, unites with the allies that face the threats from the south. A 360-degree attitude towards security is needed," Linkevicius was quoted as saying by Lithuanian national broadcaster LRT.

Lithuania is trying to secure more military assistance and security guarantees from Allies before the next NATO summit in Warsaw, Poland, on July 8-9.

"We seek to have a decision approved at the NATO Summit to deploy battalion-sized allied forces in each of the Baltic states and Poland," Lithuanian Defense Minister Juozas Olekas was quoted as saying at the meeting.

Touching upon the migration crisis in the EU, Olekas underscored that its external borders needs to be strengthened.

On Tuesday, delegates of the NATO parliamentary assembly are to visit a Lithuanian air force base used for the NATO air policing missions in the Baltic skies.

In recent years, Lithuania has increased its defense capabilities citing security threats in Eastern Europe. Endit