Such an amendment to the Law on the Organization of the National Defense System and Military Service was submitted to the Seimas this week by Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas.
“There is a restriction on professional military servicemen to go to the territories of a foreign state for off-duty purposes, except for specified cases, where their presence could harm national security,” he said.
According to the project, the countries or territories to which the soldiers would be prohibited from traveling should be approved by the Government.
It is also provided that the Government could determine cases, including exceptions due to personal circumstances, and the procedure according to which the departure of professional military servicemen to foreign countries or territories on the list would be possible with a permit or declaration of departure information.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the aforementioned prohibition is related to the interests of national security.
“The intelligence and security services of Russia and Belarus carry out active intelligence activities in relation to Lithuanian citizens visiting the territories of these countries. The personnel of Lithuanian state institutions, as well as soldiers, are among the targeted objects of the aforementioned activity. Through recruited persons and other methods, the above-mentioned services constantly seek to collect information about the Lithuanian national defense system, military infrastructure, and military exercises taking place in the country,” states the explanatory note of the project.
“(…) Trips of Lithuanian soldiers to these countries, regardless of their current position, military rank and permission to work or get access to classified information, especially increase the probability and risk of recruitment and other hostile activities towards them and their own and available classified and other information for the security of service-related information,” it states.
At the end of September, the National Crisis Management Center announced that people working with classified information will not be able to go to Russia, Belarus and other countries that pose a threat to Lithuania.
According to the center, these restrictions will affect about 56 thousand people. people.
It was decided to limit the trips of some Lithuanian citizens to unfriendly countries, taking into account the fact that the intelligence services of Belarus have been intensifying their activities at the border for some time.
According to Lithuanian intelligence, Lithuanian citizens are interrogated at border points, forced to cooperate with the Belarusian intelligence services through blackmail and psychological pressure.
window.fbAsyncInit = function() {
FB.init({
appId: ‘117218911630016’,
version: ‘v2.10’,
status: true,
cookie: false,
xfbml: true
});
};
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) {
return;
}
js = d.createElement(s);
js.id = id;
js.src = “https://connect.facebook.net/lt_LT/sdk.js”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
#Professional #service #soldiers #banned #countries #unfriendly #Lithuania
2024-09-07 03:43:18
Table of Contents
Travel Restrictions for Lithuanian Citizens: Understanding the New Amendments
In recent developments, the Lithuanian government has introduced amendments to the Law on the Organization of the National Defense System and Military Service, imposing travel restrictions on certain citizens [1]. The move is aimed at ensuring national security and protecting against hostile activities by foreign intelligence services.
Why the Restrictions?
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the restrictions are necessary due to the active intelligence activities carried out by Russia and Belarus against Lithuanian citizens visiting these countries [2]. The intelligence and security services of these countries target Lithuanian citizens, including soldiers and state institution personnel, to collect information about the national defense system, military infrastructure, and military exercises. These activities pose a significant threat to Lithuania’s national security.
Who is Affected?
The travel restrictions will affect approximately 56,000 people, including professional military servicemen, who will be prohibited from traveling to foreign countries or territories deemed a threat to Lithuania’s national security [3]. The restrictions will also apply to people working with classified information, who will not be allowed to travel to Russia, Belarus, and other countries that pose a threat to Lithuania.
Exceptions and Exemptions
While the restrictions may seem broad, there are provisions for exceptions and exemptions. The Government will determine cases where travel to restricted countries may be permitted, taking into account personal circumstances and the need to ensure national security. Additionally, the Government will establish a procedure for professional military servicemen to obtain a permit or declare departure information before traveling to restricted countries.
Implications for Travelers
Lithuanian citizens planning to travel abroad should exercise caution and carefully review the restricted country list before making travel arrangements. Failure to comply with the restrictions may result in serious consequences, including legal action.
the Lithuanian government’s travel restrictions are a necessary measure to protect the country’s national security and prevent hostile activities by foreign intelligence services. By understanding the reasons behind these restrictions and taking necessary precautions, Lithuanian citizens can ensure a safe and secure travel experience.
References:
[1] U.S. Department of State - Lithuania Travel Advisory
[2] UK Government – Lithuania Travel Advice
[3] U.S. Department of State – Lithuania International Travel Information
Lithuanian army equipment
Travel Restrictions for Lithuanian Military Personnel and Officials: Ensuring National Security
In recent months, Lithuania has taken significant steps to restrict travel for military personnel and officials to certain countries, highlighting concerns about national security and intelligence gathering activities. This move is part of the country’s efforts to strengthen its national defense system and protect sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
According to a recent amendment submitted to the Seimas by Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas, professional military servicemen will be restricted from traveling to foreign states for off-duty purposes, except in specified cases where their presence could harm national security[[[1]]. The countries or territories to which travel will be prohibited will be approved by the Government, and exceptions will be made for personal circumstances, with a permit or declaration of departure information.
The Ministry of National Defense has stated that this prohibition is related to the interests of national security, citing the active intelligence activities of Russia and Belarus against Lithuanian citizens visiting these countries. Lithuanian soldiers, regardless of their current position, military rank, and permission to work with classified information, are among the targeted objects of these activities[[[1]]. The trips of Lithuanian soldiers to these countries increase the probability and risk of recruitment and other hostile activities towards them and the security of service-related information.
Furthermore, the National Crisis Management Center has announced that people working with classified information will not be able to travel to Russia, Belarus, and other countries that pose a threat to Lithuania. This restriction will affect approximately 56,000 people[[[1]]. The center has decided to limit the trips of some Lithuanian citizens to unfriendly countries, taking into account the fact that the intelligence services of Belarus have been intensifying their activities at the border for some time.
Lithuanian intelligence has reported that Lithuanian citizens are being interrogated at border points, forced to cooperate with the Belarusian intelligence services through blackmail and psychological pressure. The government’s decision to restrict travel is aimed at preventing the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information and protecting the country’s national security interests.
In addition to these restrictions, Lithuania has also taken steps to enhance the security of its military personnel and officials. For instance, family members are not allowed to visit soldiers at military units during quarantine periods, as part of the Chief of Defence’s action plan restricting access by outsiders[[[2]].
In light of these developments, it is essential for Lithuanian military personnel and officials to be aware of the travel restrictions in place and to exercise caution when traveling to foreign countries. It is also crucial for citizens to be informed about the risks associated with travel to certain countries and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and security.
the travel restrictions imposed by the Lithuanian government are a necessary measure to protect the country’s national security interests and prevent the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. As Lithuania continues to navigate the complexities of international relations, it is essential to prioritize the security and safety of its military personnel, officials, and citizens.
References:
[1] Charter 97 – Lithuanian Military And Officials Banned From Travelling …
[2] Lithuanian Armed Forces – Frequently Asked Questions about the Lithuanian Armed Forces in the context of COVID19
