Motuzas pointed out that this is not the first meeting of its kind between NATO member states. A so-called Bergen format meeting was held previously, and this time the consultations will take place in Poland.
„Germany, Poland and the Nordic countries – all NATO members – as well as the Netherlands and others, have been invited. This is, of course, the second meeting, but that is the idea behind it,“ Motuzas told ELTA.
According to the politician, a stronger core of European states is currently being formed within NATO, which should focus more on defence and deterrence.
Susiję straipsniai
„The main concept of NATO is this: that NATO should remain a strong alliance, but should have a certain strong core within Europe. That core is being formed during these consultations,“ he explained.
According to Motuzas, in this case we are talking about cooperation between the countries on the northern front, whilst the Baltic states belong to NATO’s Eastern flank.
„This is the so-called Northern Front, whilst we are part of the Eastern Front. Perhaps there will also be some consultations with that group (the Eastern Front – ELTA) in the future, we hope,“ noted the Chair of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs.
He also suggested that the United Kingdom and France may not have been invited because of their defence capabilities and nuclear deterrent.
„One possible explanation could be that they are strong enough because they possess their own nuclear deterrent. These are two continental states that actually possess nuclear weapons. Perhaps this is why (they were not invited – ELTA), because they already have sufficient capabilities and are sufficiently prepared,“ the politician suggested.
„We believe that what we are discussing here is how other states – in this case, as I mentioned, the Northern Front states – could be strengthened,“ added Motuzas.
In his view, Lithuania should not seek an explanation from the United States (US) for not having been invited to the meeting.
„I do not think it should ask for one, because, as was the case in recent weeks during our foreign minister’s meeting with the same Deputy Secretary of Defence (…) we can see from the meeting minutes that the discussion did in fact centre on defence, troop deployments and similar matters,“ he noted.
According to Motuzas, Poland, which has greater defence capabilities, is also currently playing an important role in the region.
„Nevertheless, our neighbouring country, Poland, where this meeting is taking place, has greater defence capabilities and, in a sense, represents the region. In the sense that a stronger Poland means a stronger region,“ – emphasised the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Pavilionis: We’ve become second-class in Washington
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chair of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Conservative Žygimantas Pavilionis, takes a more critical view of the situation. On his Facebook page, he claimed that Lithuania’s foreign policy priorities are causing our country to lose ground in Washington and the European Union (EU).
„After all, our government’s priority is Beijing, not Washington, so why are we surprised? In Washington (and even in the EU), we have become second-class. When all our energy and interests are focused on the East, we should not be surprised that the West does not invite us or listen to us,“ wrote Pavilionis on Thursday.
He also criticised Lithuania’s relations with Poland and claimed the Lublin Triangle format has not functioned for the past two years.
„The Lublin Triangle hasn’t been functioning for two years now; we are just as unable to communicate with Warsaw as we are with Washington,“ the politician noted.
Pavilionis also criticised Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys's activities in Washington and Lithuania’s policy towards Taiwan.
„Minister Budrys is running a personal election campaign in Washington, whilst at the same time dismantling the Taiwanese representative office, which will close off all remaining avenues to Washington not only for him, but also for the rest of the ‘reds’. All that will remain is Beijing and Minsk. A road to nowhere,“ wrote the Conservative.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has not invited several key allies to next month’s NATO summit in Poland, the news website Politico reported on Thursday.
According to six diplomats familiar with the preparations for the meeting, the gathering – organised on the initiative of the Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby – will essentially be a working group dedicated to NATO’s future.
Among others, the United Kingdom, France and the Baltic states have not been invited. The diplomats questioned why these countries had been left out, despite their significant defence spending and the important role they play within the Alliance.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the situation, whilst the Pentagon declined to comment.