BELGRADE (Sputnik) Svetlana Alexandrova — A decision to seek NATO membership is Montenegro's free choice, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told Sputnik on the sidelines of the OSCE ministerial meeting.
"Since we are talking at the premises of the OSCE meeting, let's recall Helsinki Final Act which states 'to respect choices of the political, cultural development and right to choose alliances.' It is Montenegro's free choice," Linkevicius said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance's invitation was not directed at any third-party countries, adding that those third-party states have no right to interfere in Montenegro's accession.
The Helsinki Final Act was signed by 35 countries on August 1, 1975, in an attempt to improve relations between the then-communist bloc, comprising the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact, and the West.
Lithuania Yet to Implement Measures to Tackle EU Refugee Crisis
Lithuania is yet to implement measures to ease an ongoing refugee crisis in the European Union, Linas Linkevicius told Sputnik.
"We need to implement some important measures which we have already decided on but not yet put in place such as operation of hot spots — centers of management of refugees in order to separate those who could be treated as refugees and those who are economic migrants. That is not working yet," Linkevicius said.
The minister added that the European Union must strengthen border controls.
No Imminent Terrorist Threat From Daesh
Lithuania does not have evidence of a terrorist threat in the country from extremists, Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicus told Sputnik.
"Directly, we do not feel a direct threat, currently. We do not have any evidences that could lead to bringing up an alert level," Linkevicus said.
Over 60 percent of Lithuanians support the country's involvement in the international effort against terrorism, according to a November poll commissioned by the Foreign Ministry.
Lithuania has not ruled out the possibility of diversifying its counter-terrorism activities, Linkevicius said.
"When it comes to the anti-terrorist coalition, we also have our niche in the area of a strategic communication, for instance. We are acting adequately, we are trying to contribute by taking a part in the strategic communication field but later, who knows, we can contribute with something else," Linkevicius said.
