NATO Parliamentary Assembly spring session begins in Vilnius with focus on collective defence

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s spring session opened in Vilnius on Saturday, with lawmakers prioritising discussions on strengthening collective defence, supporting Ukraine, and countering hybrid threats, LRT reports.

According to the Lithuanian parliament (Seimas), the session will address key security challenges, including increasing defence spending, safeguarding strategic resources, and accelerating the integration of critical technologies into NATO defence plans. Participants will also examine investments in partnerships with strategically important regions.

Šarūnas Birutis, head of Lithuania’s NATO PA delegation, described the event as both a high-level political gathering and a clear signal that NATO’s parliamentary diplomacy operates close to regions where security concerns are immediate. “This session contributes to shaping NATO’s future at the parliamentary level,” he said, emphasising the role of national legislators in aligning political views and reinforcing public support for Alliance decisions.

The assembly, which runs through Monday, brings together nearly 300 parliamentarians from NATO’s 32 member states and around 80 representatives from 22 partner nations and international organisations. Committee and political group meetings will take place over the weekend, culminating in a plenary session on Monday, where a declaration is expected to be adopted.

The NATO PA is an interparliamentary body where lawmakers from member states, along with associates and partners, discuss political, security, and economic issues relevant to the Alliance and its members.