VOL. 38 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Linas Kojala EDITOR: Nathan Radtke COVER DESIGN: Ray Bartkus LAYOUT: Ieva Makarevičė PRINTING HOUSE: UAB BSPB
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VOL. 38 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Linas Kojala EDITOR: Nathan Radtke COVER DESIGN: Ray Bartkus LAYOUT: Ieva Makarevičė PRINTING HOUSE: UAB BSPB PUBLISHER Linas Kojala, Director of Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC), is Editor-in- Chief of this year's magazine. EESC is a nongovernmental, non-profit think- tank established in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2006. It aims to analyze political and economic processes in Eastern Europe and beyond. EESC partners include European Commission, the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme, National Endowment for Democracy, USAID, CEPA, the Foreign Policy Research Institute and others. EDITORIAL STAFF Rytis Paulauskas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Margarita Šešelgytė, Vilnius University Andžej Pukšto, Vytautas Magnus University MAIN PARTNER Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania PARTNERS The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is a German political foundation, which is in charge of projects in more than 120 countries. The KAS is also cooperates in the publication of the Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review by supporting the journal’s printing and distribution. US Embassy in Lithuania E M A I B N A A S U SY H V IT ILNIUS, L US Embassy in Lithuania has supported the US experts contributing to this year's publication. ISSN: 1392-5504 © LFPR, 2019 Vol. 38 All of the images in the present edition hold a permission from the source for a non-commercial reuse. http://www.lfpr.lt http://www.eesc.lt If you wish to republish an article, please send your request to [email protected] Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review 3 Policy Lithuanian Foreign © Andrius Ufartas, DELFI © Andrius A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR It is a privilege to be the Editor- Secretary General of NATO from as well; Corneliu Bjola and Rytis in-Chief of the Lithuanian Foreign 1999–2004, is a distinguished Paulauskas seek to explain how Policy Review (LFPR) for the political leader, who oversaw Lithuanian diplomacy adapts second year. We continue our NATO’s enlargement in 2004. to multiple challenges in the journey toward becoming a Fifteen years have passed since digital age; a group of authors well-known analytical publication the Baltics joined the Alliance; discuss ideas on how to develop that seeks to discuss the most therefore, it is very useful to look the European Union’s Eastern important challenges to the at how we all evolved over such Partnership policy; Andžej Lithuanian foreign and security a significant period of time. In Pukšto shares his thoughts on policy. Enormous progress has addition to this, Lt. Gen. (Ret) Lithuanian-Polish relations. been made since last year’s Ben Hodges, who served as This publication would not edition, which received an Commanding General, United have been possible without our exceptionally good response States Army Europe, from 2014 partners. I am extremely happy both from decision makers and to 2017, goes deeper into how that the Ministry of Foreign Af- the expert community. NATO copes with the challenges fairs of Lithuania remains a key of today. Last but not least, on This issue is special. The LFPR partner, providing support while security, a leading French expert is honoured that the President ensuring editorial independence. Cyrille Bret analyses the idea of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung of the European army and its shares his thoughts on the future and the US Embassy in Lithu- (rather complicated) relationship of the country’s foreign policy in ania continue to be our reliable with NATO. an extensive interview, covering a partner; these contributions were variety of issues from neighbour- There is a strong emphasis in essential to making the current hood policy to transatlantic rela- this issue on the topic of China. issue of the LFPR as far-reaching tions. It is probably the first deep Gen (ret) Robert Spalding, who as it is. I am thankful to my col- and comprehensive conversation was among the authors of the leagues at the EESC as well as on the topic since Mr Nausėda most recent National Security all the editors and advisors for was elected the President in mid- Strategy under Donald Trump’s their help. 2019. Hopefully, not the last one. administration, presents the There is only one more thing: American view on the difficulties I am also proud to announce please, do not hesitate to of the bilateral relationship. that the publication is full of share LFPR with your friends, Konstantinas Andrijauskas, a well-known names and globally colleagues and partners! leading Lithuanian expert on recognized experts, whose dis- China, looks at how China cernment has allowed the LFPR Yours sincerely, perceives small states such as to discuss a broad range of LINAS KOJALA Lithuania. topics. Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, who served as the 10th Finally, we look at other subjects TABLE OF CONTENTS SECURITY AND TRANSATLANTIC LINKS 05 PRESIDENT GITANAS NAUSĖDA: NO INITIATIVE WILL BRING MORE SECURITY TO EUROPE IF IT BREAKS OR WEAKENS NATO 10 Lord Robertson. NATO: THE PAST, THE PRESENT, THE FUTURE 14 BEN HODGES TALKS ON NATO, DEFENSE SPENDING AND SECURITY CHALLENGES 17 Cyrille Bret. TOWARDS A EUROPEAN ARMY? LITHUANIA IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS 20 Brian Whitmore. THE SECURITY OF SMALL STATES: THE BALTICS AND US INTERESTS 23 Robert S. Spalding III. THE AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE ON THE RELATIONS WITH CHINA 26 Konstantinas Andrijauskas. THE WATERSHED YEAR OF THE PIG IN SINO-LITHUANIAN RELATIONS? 29 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “PIVOT TO ASIA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES” 35 Corneliu Bjola and Rytis Paulauskas. LITHUANIAN DIPLOMACY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: CLOSING THE FOREIGN POLICY GAP 38 Andžej Pukšto. LITHUANIA-POLAND: IS EVERYTHING CHANGING FOR THE BETTER? THE REGION AND BEYOND 42 THE WAYS OF STRENGTHENING AND SUPPORTING INTEGRATION OF DCFTA COUNTRIES INTO THE SINGLE MARKET OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review 4 Policy Lithuanian Foreign Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review 5 Policy Lithuanian Foreign IN SHORT • We support all diplomatic and PRESIDENT GITANAS NAUSĖDA: political measures contributing to the strengthening of Belarusian sov- ereignty and building its civil society. NO INITIATIVE WILL BRING However, we should also openly discuss challenging issues like the MORE SECURITY TO EUROPE IF Ostrovets Nuclear Power Plant, which poses a safety threat not only IT BREAKS OR WEAKENS NATO to Lithuania but to the whole region. • I am confident that no initiative will bring more security to Europe if it breaks or weakens NATO. Our posi- tion is very clear and firm: NATO is and will remain the foundation The Lithuanian Foreign Policy Lithuania’s support to the EU of European security. Transatlantic Review’s Editor-in-Chief, Eastern Neighborhood is yet unity cannot be broken or weak- Linas Kojala, talks with President of another pillar of our foreign policy. ened, nor can it be replaced by Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, on a Being aware that the Eastern something else. range of issues from security and European countries still have a lot • Sanctions against Russia must economic diplomacy to relations to do in reforming their societ- continue until grounds and reasons with Belarus and China. ies, government structures and for their introduction are eliminated. democracy standards, we are I am concerned about the ideas and initiatives which sound to me – Mr President, you have been ready to contribute to their reform like returning to “business as usual” inaugurated on July 2019. As a process and their transforma- head of state, you have a respon- with Russia. From Lithuania’s point tion. Our development assistance of view, Russia has done nothing sibility to lead the country’s foreign and twinning projects are aimed to review the current EU-Russia policy. The times are challenging, namely at these countries. relationship. there are many global tendencies that raise concerns to politicians, Traditionally, Lithuania maintains experts and societies around Eu- good relations with its neighbors. rope. With this in mind, what are We are determined to expand and such as the Ostrovets Nuclear the main goals and principles of bring new quality to our ties with Power Plant, which poses a safety today’s Lithuania’s foreign policy? neighboring states in the Baltic threat not only to Lithuania but Sea region: Poland, teh Nordic also to the whole region. It is in Since the restoration of Lithuanian and Baltic countries, Germany. To- our common interest to resolve independence in 1990, the foreign gether we are aiming at very close this issue. policy goals were full integration integration, active economic coop- into the EU and NATO. These Economic diplomacy is yet eration, interconnected energy and goals remain the main pillars of another foreign policy priority for transport infrastructure. the Lithuanian foreign policy. They me. We will be looking actively for will continue to be at the heart of We have a special link with the new export markets both inside our activities. New challenges on countries that share a common and outside the EU. We will work the EU agenda – innovations, the history. A dialogue with Belarus, to attract new safe investment to digital union, climate change – call a neighbour with a long common Lithuania. My visits abroad often for new responses from Lithuania border, is part of such an effort. include an economic diplomacy element, namely, meetings with as an active EU Member State. We support all diplomatic and The Transatlantic Alliance is political measures contributing to businesses and global companies. adapting to the present security the strengthening of Belarusian environment as well, so contri- sovereignty and to building its civil – There has been a great number bution to its strategic goals is in society. However, we should also of steps taken by our allies to reas- focus of our diplomatic effort. openly discuss challenging issues, sure the Baltic states after Russia’s spending by 2030. We are work- ing consistently to deliver it.