Lithuania's PM says to further increase defence spending

VILNIUS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said on Thursday the current 2 percent of GDP allocated for national defence is only a minimal investment into security of Lithuania and the Euro-Atlantic area as the Baltic country has committed to further gradually increase defence funding.

"Lithuania's chosen path to increase defence spending has been repeatedly cited as an example for other NATO partners. It is natural that we can't stop here," Skvernelis was quoted as speaking at a conference held at the Lithuanian Parliament on the occasion of 15th anniversary of the country's membership in NATO.

According to the latest NATO report released on March 14, Lithuania is among seven of the 29 NATO countries to meet the alliance's defence spending target of 2 percent of GDP in 2018.

Ambassador Tacan Ildem, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, said at the conference that Lithuania is a "strong and committed" partner.

"Lithuania has repeatedly proved in words and deeds that it is a strong and committed ally. From the very beginning of your membership, you have fulfilled your obligations by participating in missions in Afghanistan and elsewhere to help the allies carry out their mission," high NATO official was quoted as saying by local media.

In September 2018, Lithuania's main political parties committed to increasing defence spending every year for the next decade, reaching at least 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030.

Lithuania joined the Alliance on March 29, 2004.