Host country support is civilian and military assistance provided by a host country to Allied forces entering and operating in the territory of the host country or in transit in time of peace or crisis. The purpose of host nation support is to ensure the rapid and smooth reception and deployment of incoming forces.
This means providing incoming forces with the necessary services: access to both civilian and military infrastructure, communications and information technology, accommodation and catering, medical and other services.
At the request of the Government, the State, municipal institutions and bodies shall, in accordance with their competence, perform the functions required for the provision of support by the Host Party.
As a member of NATO, Lithuania must be ready to accept NATO forces, to prepare all the country’s infrastructure – railways, seas, airports, roads and people, so that everyone knows their responsibilities and duties in preparing and mobilizing the state and providing the host country support. The main responsibility of a NATO host country, which is governed by NATO law, is for the host nation to be supported not only by the military but also by the state in the broadest sense.
