Russian agitation in Lithuania continues

  • 2014-03-18
  • From wire reports, VILNIUS

Every state has a right to combat threats it is facing, said Jovita Neliupsiene, senior foreign policy advisor to Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, commenting on a March 17 report of the State Security Department (VSD) on threats to national security, reports ELTA.

"One of the functions or tasks of the VSD (..) is to eliminate risk factors, dangers and threats to the security of the state. And I believe that every state, which takes care of its security, is very well aware that such work must be done; it is of utmost importance," said Neliupsiene in an interview with radio Ziniu Radijas, when speaking how the data made public by the VSD could affect Lithuanian and Russian foreign policy.

The presidential advisor drew attention to the fact that it was very important to inform the society about any threats.

"It is very important that, besides its direct work, the VSD also announces about its work and informs the public, since it is important for Lithuanian society to know what is going on in the country and what responsible institutions could do about it," said Neliupsiene.

The report on threats to national security, announced by the VSD, says that Russian intelligence and security services were acting most actively and aggressively against Lithuania. In July 2013, the leaked conversations of Lithuanian diplomats were the operation of the Russian intelligence and security services aimed at discrediting Lithuania's Presidency of the European Union (EU) Council, the Eastern Partnership Program and aimed at causing the tension in Lithuania's internal politics.

In Lithuania, the employees of the Russian intelligence and security services are acting under diplomatic cover. This cover is used by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The employees of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation covering under the diplomatic status are working in the Russia's Embassy in Lithuania, the Trade Mission of Russian Federation in Lithuania and in the Consulate General of Russia in Klaipeda.

Their activities are being coordinated by the representations of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the Russia's Embassy. The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation is most actively acting against Lithuania's citizens in Russia's territory and from Russia's territory.