The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, guarantor of Lithuania’s security for the past 18 years, turns 73. On the occasion, the Ministry of National Defence building was decorated with the NATO flag Friday.
NATO Day is marked in solidarity across the Alliance: every member state, as well as partner states Finland and Sweden, displays symbolic flag or lighting expositions.
The NATO Alliance was established on 4 April 1949, with the signature of the North Atlantic Treaty by which the twelve member states affirmed their wish to leave in peace with all nations and governments and to unite forces for collective defence and preserving peace and security.
NATO family currently has 30 members – the Allies uphold a steadfast commitment to defend every inch of the Alliance territory against any threats. The Allied commitment to come to each other’s defence is embedded in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty and rock solid.
Lithuania has been a NATO member since 29 March 2004. It currently hosts a significant military Allied force – the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group at Rukla, NATO Air Policing Mission flown from Šiauliai, the U.S. Heavy Armor Battalion at Pabradė. In the face of deteriorating security in the region, the Allies demonstrate a resolve to fortify military presence in Lithuania.
Photo credit: A. Pliadis/MoD
