REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA DECLARATION REGARDING THE CHARTER OF PARTNERSHIP AMONG THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLICS OF ESTONIA, LATVIA AND LITHUANIA, SIGNED ON 16 JANUARY 1998 26 March 1998 Vilnius Welcoming the Charter of Partnership among the United States of America and the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania, signed on 16 January 1998, which declared a new enhanced partnership between the Republic of Lithuania and the United States of America, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania adopted the following Declaration:
- The United States of America, expressing its real, profound and enduring interest in Lithuania’ s independence, sovereignty and security, supports our efforts to become a full member of European and transatlantic political, economic, security and defence institutions. We express our firm conviction that the principles declared by the Charter of Partnership and the established consultation mechanisms will be useful in pursuing common goals of the Republic of Lithuania and the United States of America.
- The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania emphasises that Lithuania as an inseparable country of the Western civilisation is dedicated to democracy, freedom of the individual and the rule of law, and endeavours to act in Europe integrating on the basis of common values.
- The strengthening of Lithuania’s military forces and their capability to interact with the military forces of NATO member states remains a priority. We confirm our intention to devote exclusive attention to and allocate special funds for this purpose. We also believe that our current highly active and all-round participation in the Partnership for Peace Programme may not be regarded as a substitute for the membership of the Republic of Lithuania in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The membership has received a unanimous approval by all political parties represented in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.
- By ensuring Lithuania firmer international stability positions and security prospects, the Charter of Partnership also sets forth the principles and obligations of economic co-operation between the United States of America and the Republic of Lithuania. We call upon the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to promote and develop dynamic economic relations with the United States of America.
- The Senate of the United States of America will soon vote on the ratification of protocols on the admission of Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary into the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. We render our firm support to the inclusion of these countries into the Alliance and are convinced that by taking a positive decision pertaining to the ratification of the said protocols, the Senate of the United States of America will confirm the basic principles of openness of the Alliance and solidarity of democracies. We believe that the Congress of the United States of America will support Lithuania’s aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation at the next stage of enlargement of the Alliance. CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA