Lithuania is moving towards universal military conscription, although further preparations are needed before it can be introduced, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas told reporters on Wednesday.
“We need infrastructure, instructors, military capacity and sufficient quantities of weaponry to provide for the people we call up and want to train qualitatively,” Kaunas said.
He added that the number of conscripts was increasing each year and that the armed forces were gradually expanding their ability to train larger numbers of recruits.
According to the minister, Lithuania is progressing “at a good pace” by strengthening military structures, including commandant’s offices, the Riflemen’s Union and the armed forces, in an effort to improve overall societal readiness.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said universal conscription remained a longer-term objective rather than an immediate priority.
