Lithuanian mission in Belarus takes over as informal NATO embassy :: Charter'97 :: News

The Minsk embassy of Lithuania - a NATO member from this year - today became a NATO contact point embassy in Belarus. A contact point embassy is an informal NATO mission whose main task is to provide information about the alliance`s activities, aims and goals to the country`s public at large, the media, academic establishments and communities, as well as NGOs, a Foreign Ministry press release said.

The main functions of a contact point embassy also include the promotion of cooperation between the host country and NATO, and assistance in organizing the visits of NATO officials.

Lithuania was selected to become a NATO contact point embassy in Belarus at the meeting of the NATO Committee on Information and Cultural Relations in July. This function was performed by the Turkish embassy in Belarus until 31 August.

The Belarusian reaction to the NATO decision to grant the status of the NATO contact point embassy to the Lithuanian diplomatic mission in Belarus was positive. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry expressed the hope at the end of July that the NATO decision "will promote the development of a constructive political dialogue and practical cooperation between Belarus and NATO, including in preventing present challenges and threats".