BAN ON DEPLOYMENT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS LIFTED

VILNIUS, SEPTEMBER 22 /SRNA/ - The Lithuanian Parliament has voted to lift the ban on the deployment of nuclear weapons on the country’s territory and has subsequently submitted a proposal to amend the Constitution for consideration.

Ninety-nine MPs voted in favour of lifting the ban, five abstained, and 13 voted against, TASS reported.

“Nuclear weapons are the foundation of deterrence against attack. If you give that up, you are giving up the only effective means of deterrence in your security strategy,” said Laurinas Kasčiūnas, head of the Caucus of the opposition Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats.

A resolution adopted by the Lithuanian Seimas states that Article 137 of the Constitution, which prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, on the territory of Lithuania, will be removed.