Sweden’s NATO Accession Protocols were ratified by 113 MPs voting in favour, one voting against and none abstaining. Finland’s NATO Accession Protocols were ratified unanimously by 111 MPs voting in favour and none voting against or abstaining.
Speaking in parliament, Liberal Movement’s MP Eugenijus Gentvilas stated that both countries are much better prepared to join NATO and their weaponry met the Alliance’s standards much better compared with Lithuania’s accession of the Alliance in 2004.
He said with Finland and Sweden’s membership Lithuania would have new and reliable “brothers in arms in the Baltic Sea region”, which is a great proof that aggressive policies of blackmail backfire.
Wednesday’s extraordinary parliamentary sitting lasted just for half an hour and legislators applauded the ratification of NATO accession documents.
Earlier during the extraordinary session, which was held on 13-20 July, the Seimas approved MP Laima Liucija Andrikienė’s candidature to the European Court of Auditors (ECA), passed a resolution on the centenary of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and the USA, approved President Gitanas Nausėda’s amendments to the Code of Elections that he vetoed before and adopted amendments to the Law on Employment creating better employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
The autumn session of the Seimas begins on 10 September.
