Statement issued by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania H.E. Linas Antanas Linkevičius on the occasion of the United Nations Leader’s Summit on Peacekeeping
Lithuania considers participation in international operations and missions as an expression of its commitment to contribute to peace and international security. United Nations peacekeeping remains an unrivalled flagship activity of the organization and a key instrument in ensuring peace and security throughout the world.
The environment faced by the United Nations peace operations is undergoing dynamic change and there is an urgent need to adapt to these new demands. At the same time, we must continue to improve our ability to deliver on the most crucial elements of peacekeeping mandates, such as protection of civilians under threat and in particular women and children. All UN Member States have a duty to help these efforts, therefore Lithuania welcomes holding of the United Nations Leader’s Summit on Peacekeeping.
Since joining the United Nations in 1992 Lithuania has been contributing its troops, police officers and civilians to UN peace-keeping and peace-building operations. It also continues to participate in a number of NATO and EU-led operations. Today, more than half of the nation’s Armed Forces have peacekeeping experience.
Currently Lithuania is contributing to UN operations in Liberia and Cyprus, NATO-led non-combat Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan and KFOR Mission in Kosovo as well as EU Training Mission in Mali and Naval Force operation ATALANTA off the coast of Somalia.
Recognising the need to continue and further increase its contribution to UN peacekeeping, in 2016 Lithuania intends to offer a contribution to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) with up to 20 military and/or civilian personnel. The draft resolution, signed by the President of the Republic of Lithuania, has already been submitted to the Parliament.
