Lithuanian Parliament votes on list of national threats

Presented by the Defense Ministry and specifying internal and external threats to security, the strategy was approved with 57 votes, while four of Lithuania's 141 parliamentarians abstained.

According to the strategy, Lithuania's national security is jeopardized by economic and energy dependence, efforts of other countries to influence the country's political system, military capacities, social and economic life, cultural identity, as well as actions taken by intelligence services of some foreign countries along with information and cyber attacks.

"The probability of a direct military confrontation in the region is small; however, military power of some countries in the region, tendencies of demonstration and threats or cases of use do not allow ruling out the possibility of military threat against Lithuania," reads the document.

The list also includes possible weakening of the Euro-Atlantic community, regional and global instability, violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, global economic and financial crisis, international organized crime and other international crimes, terrorism.

Listed among potential threats is also climate change, which can tighten competition for natural resources and cause unstable regions to distrust their political administration.

The strategy lists priorities and tasks of the national security policy, including development of foreign and defense policy for safe external environment, prevention of possible risk factors, hazards and threats.

Priorities include active and responsible NATO and European Union (EU) membership, enhanced cooperation with neighbors, integration of Baltic and Nordic regions and contribution to the spread of democratic values in the Eastern neighborhood.