The Baltic countries want to be the members of the the NATO, but examination is still farly from being over

"Russia has no right of the veto at taking decisions concerning the membership in the NATO ", - has declared the Minister of Defence of USA William Koen to the journalists after conversation with the president of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus. The American visitor has taken part in meeting the Ministers of Defence of USA, Northern and Baltic countries in the Lithuanian capital.

It is obvious, that such a phrase has been accepted as a hint, something like a promise. There were other “kind signals” from the Minister of Defence of USA for the countries, which are candidates into the NATO. William Koen has praised Lithuania for progress reached by its armed forces in entering “NATO standards”, also for the efforts to raise Defense budget. Generally speaking, the Ministers of Defence of countries of NATO, who participated in the meeting in Vilnius, stressed on progress of the armed forces of Baltic countries.And membership in the NATO according to them does not depend on the neighbour. Geographical position of one or another country doesn’t affect on the entrance into the NATO.

And still it is necessary to note a certain ambiguity, which was always present in all the hints-promises. The American guest stresses that these countries should modernize their Armed forces what will cost very much, of course. According to him USA understand that Lithuania is experiencing difficulties now, but at the same time the minister believes that the Armed forces of the Republic will be modernized according to all the requirements of the block before it becomes the member of NATO. When? Apparently, this question remains for the staff. Furthermore, William Koen has noted that it is necessary to take into account both concern of Russia and its attitude to expansion of the NATO, though has told that decisions on reception of new members accept the countries of the block. Having noted progress of the Armed forces of the Baltic countries, Ministers of the states of an alliance, who have arrived in Vilnius, for the press stressed that only those countries which will be able to allocate sufficient financing to defensive needs and to achieve a high level of coordination with military structures of an alliance can expect for the invitation in the block at summit of the NATO in 2002. Meanwhile, in the same Lithuania active social movement for redistribution of means, intended for defence began, for needs of education - for it the most popular party of Lithuania - social-liberals acts.