Key Benefits:
Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
RESOLUTION
AMENDING THE SEIMAS OF the Republic of Lithuania RESOLUTION ON THE APPROVAL OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY
26 June 2012 – No XI-2131
Article 1.
Resolution No IX-907 of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania of 28 May 2002 on the Approval of the National Security Strategy shall be amended and set forth to read as follows:
“SEIMAS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
RESOLUTION
ON THE APPROVAL OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY
The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania r e s o l v e s:
Article 1.
To approve the National Security Strategy (appended).”
speaker of the seimas irena degutienė
APPROVED BY
Resolution No IX-907
of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania of 28 May 2002
(Version of Resolution No XI-2131
of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
of 26 June 2012)
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. The National Security Strategy represents a set of provisions defining the development of a secure state. The National Security Strategy establishes the vital and primary national security interests, the key risks, dangers and threats posed to these interests, presents the priorities, as well as long- and medium-term objectives of the national security system development, foreign, defence and domestic policies. This Strategy is based on the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Basics of National Security (hereinafter referred to as the “Law on the Basics of National Security”), treaties of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union.
2. The Republic of Lithuania perceives its national security as preservation of national security interests. National security of the Republic of Lithuania is a constituent part of the indivisible security policy of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (hereinafter referred to as “NATO”) and the European Union (hereinafter referred to as the “EU”), is based on the security guarantees embedded in NATO and EU treaties, the threat analysis, strategic goals and activity guidelines provided in the strategic security policy documents of NATO and the EU.
3. In shaping and implementing national security policy, the Republic of Lithuania acts in compliance with the universally recognised international legal norms, principles and commitments embedded in the documents of the United Nations Organization (hereinafter referred to as the “UN”), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (hereinafter referred to as the “OSCE”) and the Council of Europe, and contributes to sustaining international peace and comprehensive security based on democratic values, law and justice.
II. BASIC ASSUMPTIONS OF NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY
4. National security is the basis for the prosperity of the State. Only a secure environment is capable of ensuring the functioning of a mature democratic constitutional order, sustainable economic growth, protection of human rights and freedoms, viability of civil society. The necessary condition of national security is contribution of civic-minded citizens to creation of the country’s security and welfare, their preparedness to contribute to its defence under critical circumstances.
5. Security is indivisible, that is, national security is an integral part of regional, European and global security. The Republic of Lithuania implements national security policy independently, in co-operation with other states and through international organisations. With a view to defending its national security interests, the Republic of Lithuania must be prepared to address developments in the global security environment and contribute to the international community’s efforts in spreading security and stability.
6. The following key factors are likely to shape the security environment of the Republic of Lithuania in the long term:
6.1. development of the Euro-Atlantic community and global security processes affecting the security environment of the Republic of Lithuania through its membership in NATO, the EU, the UN and other international organisations;
6.2. developments taking place in an environment close to the Euro-Atlantic community, especially in the Eastern neighbourhood;
6.4. enhanced possibilities to shape security environment in the course of the globalisation process by economic ties and advanced technologies and the concurrently increasing political, economic, social and technological vulnerability of states;
III.NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS OF the REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
7. Vital interests of national security are the interests which are safeguarded employing all lawful means and whose violation would pose a serious threat to the existence of the State of Lithuania and its society. The vital interests of the Republic of Lithuania are:
8. The primary interests of national security are the interests a failure to defend which would eventually result in a violation of the vital interests of the Republic of Lithuania. The primary interests of the Republic of Lithuania are:
8.1. viability of NATO and the EU, security, democracy and welfare of all states of the Euro-Atlantic community;
8.2. democracy, freedom, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the neighbouring states,
8.4. credible national defence capabilities, supported by national defence financing which meets the needs of defence and commitments to allies;
8.6. security of the infrastructure of the economic sectors of strategic importance to national security;
IV.RISKS, dangers AND THREATS TO NATIONAL SECURITY
9. Favourable internal and external factors are functioning of democratic institutions, protection of rights and freedoms of citizens, exercise of the civilian control of the Armed Forces, respect of the international community for the independence of the Republic of Lithuania, an open, transparent, non-confrontational security policy pursued by the Republic of Lithuania, membership in NATO, the EU and other international security organisations, friendly inter-state relations. However, the State may face the challenges of consolidation of the national budget and sustainability of public finances. Although there is no direct military threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State, a dynamic, complex and difficult to predict security environment poses certain external and internal risks, dangers and threats to the national security interests of the Republic of Lithuania.
10. The external risks, dangers and threats which must be given particular attention by the institutions ensuring national security are as follows:
10.1. economic and energy dependence – dominance of economic entities of other states in the economic sectors of strategic importance for national security (energy, transport, finances and crediting), isolation of the energy sector from the energy networks and systems of the EU, dependence of natural gas supply on a single external supplier and the remaining connection of the electricity system with the post-Soviet space;
10.2. development of nuclear energy in the region disregarding international nuclear energy safety standards when designing, constructing and operating nuclear energy facilities without performing a detailed environmental impact assessment;
10.3. activities of other states against the Republic of Lithuania – efforts to exert an impact on the political system, military capabilities, social and economic life, cultural identity of the Republic of Lithuania, actions of intelligence services against the Republic of Lithuania and international organisations a member of which the Republic of Lithuania is;
10.4. information attacks – actions of state and non-state entities in the international and national information space aimed at spreading biased and misleading information, shaping a negative public opinion in respect of interests of national security of the Republic of Lithuania;
10.5. cyber attacks – attacks on electronic communications networks and information systems aimed at disturbing the functioning of the infrastructure of economic sectors of strategic importance for national security and activities of state institutions of importance for national security, obtaining of classified information, committing other criminal acts and thus impairing the security of the State and its citizens.
11. Other external risks, dangers and threats capable of affecting national security of the Republic of Lithuania to a considerable extent:
11.1. traditional manifestations of power politics – the growing military power of some states of the region, the tendencies of its demonstration, threatening to use it or the cases of its use;
11.2. weakening of the Euro-Atlantic community – global or regional processes which could weaken ties of the Euro-Atlantic community, NATO’s collective defence commitments, the EU’s capacities to implement a common policy;
11.3. non-transparent, undemocratic integration projects in the neighbouring countries not based on the free will of citizens of those states;
11.4. long-term impact of the global economic and financial crisis on the economic powers of the country, business development potential and implementation of public policy, also the remaining likelihood of new economic and financial crises;
11.5. global and regionalinstability – political, economic, social instability, violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in neighbouring countries, problems of failed and failing states, unresolved frozen conflicts likely to have adverse effects on both the neighbouring states, and wider international community;
11.6. international terrorism may both pose a direct threat to the Republic of Lithuania (the Republic of Lithuania may become a target for international terrorism, citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, military personnel and civilians participating in international operations may become victims of terrorist attacks abroad) and have an indirect impact (the Republic of Lithuania may be used as a transit country for the movement of persons, funds or arms, and other support for international terrorism);
11.7. proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (including their components and production technologies), the increasing number of states possessing or intending to acquire weapons of mass destruction, the possibility that such weapons or their production technologies will be acquired by non-state entities (primarily terrorist groups);
11.8. international organised crime and other cross-border crimes – human trafficking, smuggling, illicit trade in drugs, arms, dual-use items, money laundering, illegal immigration, cyber crime and other criminal acts;
12. The internal risks, dangers and threats which must be given particular attention by institutions ensuring national security are as follows:
12.1. uneven social and economic development – persisting or increasing disparities in the living standards among various social groups, which may promote distrust in state institutions and the democratic political system, trigger political extremism, crime, social unrest, etc.;
12.2. corruption, which undermines legitimate interests of individuals and the State, discredits the principle of the rule of law, diminishes the trust of citizens in democratic values, democratic authorities and reduces the country’s attractiveness for foreign investors;
12.3. high rates of emigration – the decrease of the total number of the population and particularly the number of working-age residents, loss of tax payers and qualified specialists, weakening emigrants’ ties with the Homeland, distancing of the emigrants from the political processes taking place in Lithuania, lack of possibilities to actively participate in the political life of the country.
13. Other internal risks, dangers and threats capable of affecting the national security of the Republic of Lithuania to a considerable extent:
13.1. insufficient defence financing, providing no possibilities for the development of Lithuania’s military capabilities;
13.2. political radicalism and extremism – use of coercion in seeking to attain political or ideological goals, incitement of social conflicts, ethnic discord and unrest, seeking to gain power by unlawful means, spread of radical and extremist ideologies, views discriminating certain groups of society;
13.3. economic vulnerability – monopolisation of individual economic sectors, insufficient diversification of export and investment, loss of international competitiveness, technology gap, disturbances in the operation of facilities of the economic sectors of strategic importance for national security, misuse of or failure to use these facilities thus violating interests of the State, insufficient protection of these facilities;
13.4. crime and shadow economy – their uncontrollable spread poses a threat to public security, has a negative effect on the country’s economic and political life;
13.5. loss and/or disclosure of classified information – seizure, loss, destruction, damaging, collection, purchase, selling, keeping or dissemination of classified information;
13.6. value crisis – disrespect for human rights and freedoms, downgrading of Christian values, family, liberal democracy and pluralistic society, spreading of anti-humanistic theories, religious doctrines and ideologies diminishing or denying the value of human life, inciting racial, national or religious discord, promoting or justifying violence, coercion and genocide;
13.7. deterioration of the public health condition – spreading of dangerous diseases (including AIDS), alcohol abuse, addiction to toxic substances, drug addiction;
V. priorities and tasks of NATIONAL SECURITY policy IMPLEMENTATION
14. The priorities and tasks of implementation of national security policy create conditions for consistent implementation of the goal of national security policy as established in the Law on the Basics of National Security, namely, through the concerted efforts of the State and its citizens, to develop and strengthen democracy, to ensure the safe existence of the Nation and internal and external security of the State, to deter any potential aggressor and to defend the independence, territorial integrity and constitutional order of the State of Lithuania.
15. Foreign and defence policy.The foreign and defence policy pursued by the Republic of Lithuania will aim at forming a secure external environment, preventing potential risks, dangers and threats, and where it proves impossible to avoid them – at preparing to appropriately address them using all methods and measures available to the State. The priorities and tasks of implementation of foreign and defence policy are as follows:
15.1. active and responsible membership in NATO.A strong and united Alliance, capable of ensuring the security and defence of the states comprising it, is the key guarantee of a secure external environment of the Republic of Lithuania. The Republic of Lithuania will:
15.1.1. seek a smooth implementation of the provisions of NATO’s Strategic Concept in the areas of collective defence, crisis management and security co-operation;
15.1.2. contribute to strengthening of collective defence capabilities, support preparation and review of the defence plans of NATO member countries, seek to enhance NATO’s visibility and military presence in Lithuania, stability of NATO’s nuclear policy, create conditions for NATO training and exercise, contribute to the development of NATO’s capabilities aimed at addressing new (energy, cyber, information security) threats and implementation of smart defence projects;
15.1.3. contribute to strengthening of NATO’s military and civilian capabilities allowing to effectively command and carry out international operations;
15.2. active and responsible membership in the EU.A united EU, jointly and effectively defending its interests and the interests of the Member States, capable of competing in the contemporary world and contributing to international security and stability is an important factor ensuring security and welfare of the Republic of Lithuania. The Republic of Lithuania will:
15.2.1. continue to actively participate in the decision-making process in EU institutions, support EU integration in the internal market, common currency, energy policy and in other fields with a view to reducing external vulnerability of the EU Member States;
15.2.2. contribute to the creation of an effective EU foreign, security and defence policy delivering added value by participating in the activities of the European External Action Service, contributing to the development of European civilian and military capabilities;
15.2.3. actively participate in the activities of implementation of the EU Eastern Neighbourhood policy and support the EU enlargement process;
15.3. strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations.With a view to enhancing co-operation with neighbouring countries, developing Baltic-Nordic regional integration, relations with strategic partners, NATO and EU allies and contributing to spreading democratic values in the Eastern neighbourhood, the Republic of Lithuania will:
15.3.1. support and develop strategic partnership with the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Latvia based on common security interests and fundamental political priorities and provisions, seek European integration of energy and transport systems by developing joint infrastructure projects, strengthen co-operation in the military field;
15.3.2. strengthen bilateral relations with the United States of America (the USA) in the political, military, economic, social, cultural and other fields, develop co-operation within international organisations, considering the strategic partnership with the USA to be one of the most important tools of forming external security environment, and active membership of the USA in NATO and its military presence in Europe – the key guarantee of security of the Republic of Lithuania;
15.3.3. devote particular attention to bilateral and multilateral co-operation with the Baltic States and Nordic countries in the security, political, educational and scientific, cultural, economic, financial, energy, transport, environmental protection and other fields. The Republic of Lithuania will seek that relations of these eight states and a more efficient use of resources contribute to a successful representation of common interests in international organisations and in other countries. The Republic of Lithuania will also seek a more active co-operation between the Baltic States and Nordic countries in the field of security and defence, including possible joint military projects whose implementation would enhance interoperability of the armed Forces and allow to develop capabilities at lower costs;
15.3.4. seek to strengthen partnership and co-operation with the Republic of Poland in the military, energy security, transport and other fields by further developing joint regional infrastructure projects;
15.3.5. strengthen multilateral inter-institutional partnership with the member states of the EU and NATO using traditional forms and means of bilateral co-operation;
15.3.6. by developing the EU Eastern Partnership policy, continue active co-operation with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in the fields important to Lithuania and these states. The Republic of Lithuania will support European and Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations of these states taking into consideration the specific features of each state and actively contribute to the resolution of regional conflicts;
15.3.7. seek to enhance mutual trust with the Russian Federation in the field of security and promote co-operation in the areas of economy, transport, nuclear safety and in other areas. The Republic of Lithuania will support NATO co-operation with Russia based on the principles of reciprocity, trust and compliance with commitments, promote greater participation of the EU in resolving the issues of relations with Russia which are important to Lithuania. The Republic of Lithuania will seek to maintain good economic, commercial and cultural partnership relations with the Kaliningrad Oblast of the Russian Federation, seek to increasingly involve the Kaliningrad Oblast in European co-operation and regional integration processes meeting the national security interests of the Republic of Lithuania;
15.4. active participation in strengthening international security and stability. Acting as an active and responsible member of the international community and recognising a close link between peace and security, democracy, sustainable development and human rights, the Republic of Lithuania will:
15.4.1. support the efforts of the international community in consolidating the principles and practice of democracy, sustainable development, free market, rule of law, good governance, transparency and accountability, defend the fundamental human rights and freedoms as well as the principle of universality of human rights and freedoms and gender equality;
15.4.2. contribute to the efforts of the international community in maintaining global peace and stability, preventing inter-state and ethnic conflicts, resolving long-standing conflicts, combating international terrorism and organised crime, contribute, as far as possible, to international operations and missions of NATO, the EU and other international organisations using its civilian and military capabilities;
15.4.3. actively participate in implementation of international agreements, conventions and initiatives restricting or prohibiting proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their components and production technologies, also nuclear, chemical and biological substances, devoting considerable attention to resolving nuclear security problems;
15.4.4. participate in multilateral activities of conventional arms control, seek increased transparency and regulation related to Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons, make additional use of agreements with individual neighbouring countries concerning implementation of bilateral measures promoting security and confidence;
15.5. strengthening defence capabilities.Membership in NATO provides the Republic of Lithuania with reliable collective defence guarantees, however, it does not exempt from the responsibility to prepare for national defence individually and in co-operation with the allies. Therefore, in developing military capabilities the Republic of Lithuania will aim at ensuring the balance between national needs and international commitments. In order to ensure not only capability maintenance, but also development of capabilities, the Republic of Lithuania will consistently increase the share of the gross domestic product (GDP) allocated for defence with a view to reaching the commitment to NATO to allocate 2 per cent of GDP for defence in the shortest possible terms. The Republic of Lithuania will:
15.5.1. strengthen the combat capabilities of the Armed Forces (especially Land Force), and develop the active reserve in order to properly prepare them for the armed defence of the State individually and in co-operation with the allies and for the participation in international operations;
15.5.2. form and train the military units of the prepared reserve which, if necessary, would be capable of performing national defence actions as a part of the war-time armed forces;
15.5.3. attach considerable attention to the development of airspace surveillance and defence capabilities;
15.5.4. carry out modernisation of the Armed Forces by providing them with reliable military equipment;
15.5.5. develop military capabilities for responding to non-conventional (energy, cyber, information) security challenges;
15.6. enhancing the competence and possibilities of representing the national interests of the Republic of Lithuania.Presidency of international organisations, holding of important positions in institutions of international organisations enables to timely and effectively contribute to resolution of the issues of importance for the Republic of Lithuania and creates conditions for raising initiatives relevant to national interests. With a view to gaining a foothold and expanding its influence in international organisations, the Republic of Lithuania will strengthen negotiation and lobbying capacities of national institutions and missions abroad, seek a smooth institutional co-operation.
16. Policy ensuring internal security.With a view to ensuring security of society, public security, economic and social stability, environmental protection will be maintained, capabilities of response to external and internal risks, dangers and threats will be developed. The priorities and tasks of the policy ensuring domestic security are as follows:
16.1. strengthening intelligence and counterintelligence capabilities.The Republic of Lithuania will strengthen intelligence and counterintelligence capabilities and capacities in order to ensure a timely identification and neutralisation of threats to national security. The Republic of Lithuania will improve the co-ordination of activities of intelligence institutions and enhance control so that the tasks assigned to intelligence institutions would be performed efficiently, providing timely intelligence information to the institutions ensuring national security and increasing public trust in intelligence institutions;
16.2. strengtheningthreat analysis and monitoring capabilities.The Republic of Lithuania will develop the capabilities of identification and assessment of threats to national security. The Republic of Lithuania will aim at ensuring that a continuous monitoring and assessment of threats become a basis for planning the activities of national security institutions and develop the technical basis of threat monitoring and human capacities of threat analysis;
16.3. strengthening national crisis prevention and management capabilities.For the country to effectively prepare for crisis prevention and appropriately respond to crises, the institutions participating in the activities of crisis prevention and management will be further integrated into a common national crisis prevention and management system which would provide a rapid and effective response and be interoperable with the respective systems of NATO, the EU and other states;
16.4. maintenance and strengthening of public security.An effective public security system ensuring protection of legitimate interests of an individual and society is the essential precondition for internal security and welfare of the State. For the purpose of maintaining and strengthening public security, the Republic of Lithuania will:
16.4.1. implement complex anti-corruption and corruption prevention measures focused on enhancing transparency and responsibility in the public sector, publicity of the legislative process and decisions, elimination of unnecessary regulation, improve the mechanisms of investigation of corruption crimes and imposition of sanctions;
16.4.2. in combating organised crime, attach considerable attention to control of illegal circulation of drugs and arms, money laundering, smuggling, destruction of the economic foundation for activities of criminal groups. Contributing to combating international organised crime and terrorism, the Republic of Lithuania will develop co-operation with the EU Member States and other states, strengthen the guarding of the external borders of the EU;
16.4.3. with a view to preventing national-level emergencies or mitigating their effects, devote considerable attention to educating the population, laying foundations for a safe society, enhancing capacities and capabilities of entities of the civil protection system;
16.5. In order to ensure economic and financial security, the Republic of Lithuania will:
16.5.1. implement a sustainable macroeconomic policy focused on fiscal and monetary stability and prevention of financial and economic crises;
16.5.3. by reducing barriers to economic activities, creating conditions for a free and fair competition, aim at creating a favourable environment for businesses development (particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises) and innovations, foreign investment, export diversification;
16.5.4. implement measures preventing a single investor of the Republic of Lithuania or a foreign country from dominating in strategic economic sectors and the capital of doubtful origin from penetrating the country’s enterprises, ensure protection of economic sectors, enterprises and equipment of strategic importance;
16.6. ensuring energy security. In order to ensure a sustainable and uninterruptible energy supply, the Republic of Lithuania needs to reduce the dependence of national energy systems on a monopolistic external energy supplier and to provide conditions for diversification of energy resources and competition. Therefore, the Republic of Lithuania will:
16.6.1. implement a comprehensive integration of national energy systems into EU energy systems and the EU single energy market;
16.6.2. upgrade the energy infrastructure, carry out renovation of buildings and implement other energy efficiency (energy resource saving) measures;
16.6.5. with a view to ensuring the operation of energy enterprises under emergency conditions, in the event of a significant decrease in or a disruption of supply of energy or energy resources, accumulate and maintain the required reserves of energy resources, consolidate co-operation in this field;
16.7. strengthening electronic information security (cyber security). With a view to comprehensively strengthening the security of national cyber space, ensuring confidentiality, integrity and accessibility of electronic information, the Republic of Lithuania will:
16.7.1. create a national co-ordination system in the area of cyber security, improve national legal regulation of the area of electronic information security (cyber security) and participate in international initiatives of improvement of legal regulation;
16.7.2. strengthen national capabilities in responding to electronic information security incidents (including cyber attacks) in the national cyber space and mitigating their effects;
16.7.3. seek to ensure the security of an information infrastructure of strategic importance for national security;
16.8. ensuring protection of classified information.With a view to protecting classified information whose disclosure would harm national interests and complying with commitments to NATO and the EU, the Republic of Lithuania will improve the requirements for protection of classified information, ensure compliance with and control of such requirements, upgrade automated data processing networks and systems;
16.9. ensuring social security and health care. With a view to ensuring social development and social cohesion and improving the public health condition, the Republic of Lithuania will:
16.9.1. develop the system of provision of social support and social services which would create conditions for reducing social exclusion and social disparities;
16.9.2. implement a labour market policy focused on promoting job creation, enhancing employment and participation in the labour market of the population (especially youth), increasing flexibility of employment relations, improving the quality of working conditions, implementing non-discriminatory measures;
16.9.3. develop a patient-oriented health care system ensuring accessibility and quality of health care services;
16.9.4. carry out prevention of addictive disorders (alcohol abuse, addiction to drugs and psychotropic substances);
16.10. cultivation of civic awareness and patriotism. Considering civil society to be a vital interest of national security, the Republic of Lithuania will:
16.10.1. devote considerable attention to education of civic awareness among children and youth and seek that education of civic awareness and patriotism become an integral part of compulsory education; promote conscious compliance with a system of values based on education of civic awareness and patriotism;
16.10.2. strengthen civic education on the issues of national defence and the Armed Forces with a view to introducing the principles of will and determination to defend the State and promoting voluntary preparation for defence of the Homeland;
16.10.3. develop public intolerance towards violations of human rights and freedoms, corruption and other violations of law, implement comprehensive measures of prevention of racial, ethnic and religious discord;
16.11. preservation and fostering of cultural and national identity.Cultural and national identity is the necessary condition for continued existence of the State of Lithuania, as well as the contribution of the Lithuanian nation and other traditional ethnic groups of the Republic of Lithuania to the world culture, hence the Republic of Lithuania will:
16.11.2. take care of preservation of the ethnic culture, material and non-material cultural heritage of Lithuanians and other traditional ethnic groups of the Republic of Lithuania;
16.11.3. ensure a viable and respect- and partnership-based connection between the State and a part of the nation living abroad for the citizens of the State, irrespective of their place of residence, to foster their Lithuanian identity, maintain political, economic, civic and cultural ties with Lithuania and become engaged in the process of creation of an advanced and modern state;
16.12. ensuring environmental protection.With a view to ensuring good quality of the living environment for the population of the Republic of Lithuania and implementing respective international commitments, the Republic of Lithuania will:
16.12.3. ensure protection against radiation threats, control of radioactive emissions into the environment and monitoring of the environment of nuclear facilities; will seek that the nuclear power plants to be constructed in the neighbouring states be developed and operated in compliance with the highest international standards of nuclear energy;
16.12.4. seek to prevent the potential adverse effect on the environment related to the search for, extraction and transportation of oil and other hydrocarbons as conducted by the neighbouring states in the Baltic Sea;
16.12.8. in the field of territorial planning and urban development, seek to implement the principles of sustainable development;
VI.FINAL PROVISIONS
17. Considering the fact that the external and internal security environment may change giving rise to new risks, dangers and threats to national security, the Republic of Lithuania must be fully prepared to address them and to safeguard its national interests. Acting in compliance with the provisions of this Strategy, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania shall annually define the priorities of elimination or reduction of threats and ensures their implementation.
18. This Strategy establishes long- and medium-term national security policy priorities and tasks, but it must be reviewed in the event of changes in the external and internal security environment.
19. The provisions of this Strategy are implemented under long-term state programmes for strengthening national security. Incorporation of the provisions of this Strategy and long-term state programmes for strengthening security into other strategic planning documents and their implementation must be ensured by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.
20. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania shall provide information about implementation of the provisions of this Strategy and long-term state programmes for strengthening security to the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania when submitting a report on the status and development of national security, which is a constituent part of the annual report on activities of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.
