Country Profile:
Lithuania
Summary
Lithuania gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, ending more than 50 years of occupation. The SSR process began immediately after independence. The main SSR priorities identified were the rebuilding of the defence system, the strengthening of key security and governance institutions, and the development of civilian oversight of the sector.
The process to join NATO began in January 1994 with Lithuania officially applying to the alliance and joining the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program. The drive to join NATO would dictate the pace and direction of reforms with the transformation of the defence sector to meet NATO requirements taking centre stage.
