Transatlantic Relations Programme

The NATO summit undeniably constituted the focal point of Lithuania's political agenda in 2023. It can be argued that the big part of the nation became actively engaged in fervent deliberations, which revolved around inquiries into the Alliance's role within the framework of regional security, strategies for fortifying NATO's Eastern flank, and above all, the prospect of extending a promise of NATO membership to Ukraine in Vilnius.

This summer’s Vilnius Summit took place during an interesting time for NATO as an organization and the transatlantic community writ large. The Summit was full of anticipation, hope, concern, and determination in the months and weeks leading up to its commencing.

EESC presents an analytical study that provides an overview of the priorities, vision implementation, and policy changes enacted during the NATO Summit in Vilnius in 2023

As NATO returns to its roots, founded on the unshaken principle of collective defense, allies situated on the eastern flank face both opportunity and an existential challenge stemming from the resurgence of Russian revanchism.

Security and defence partnerships in the region have developed most actively over the past decade under the Japan-led idea of “Free and Open Indo Pacific” (FOIP) among the “like-minded partners.”

Security cooperation in the Baltic Sea region is undergoing profound internal change at the same time as the broader shifts in NATO’s strategic environment are transforming the region’s role and status in the Alliance.

In the preceding NATO Summit held in Brussels, on June 2021, the allied countries endorsed the document “NATO 2030”, a programme designed to develop more political and military strength, as well as a more global organisation in order to face the multiple threats and challenges of the new strategic context.

Washington’s attention and support for Lithuania remains one of the most important tasks in ensuring Lithuania’s security.

During the immediate post-Cold War period, the importance of Lithuania, along with other Central-Eastern European countries, to U.S. foreign policy increased.