The strategic partner of the Republic of Lithuania, which guarantees international security, is NATO. Due to its geopolitical position, Lithuania was and is interested in membership in this international organization and consistently sought it, in 1991 it joined the Cooperation Council (officially the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, established as the main forum for consultations between NATO and non-member states of this organization, renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997 ), in 1994 - under the Partnership for Peace program, in 1997 he established the Lithuanian mission to NATO. With the financial and technical support of NATO, several projects were implemented in 1994-2000 to strengthen the security of the Baltic countries and prepare their armed forces for NATO membership. 1996 Lithuania's aspiration to become a member of NATO was raised as a priority goal of Lithuania's foreign policy and a means of guaranteeing national security. Political activity was given meaning by treaties: the agreement on the states participating in the Partnership for Peace program, the agreement on the status of their military forces (January 31, 1996), the Supplement to this agreement (December 19, 1997), the NATO Treaty (March 29, 2004).

 

in 2004 May 1st officially entered into force in 2003. April 16 The EU accession agreement was signed in Athens and ratified by all parties to the agreement. From that day, Lithuania, together with 9 other Central and Eastern European countries, officially became EU member states. The unique economic and political Union, currently uniting 28 member states, ensures peace, democracy and prosperity for a large part of the European continent. EU membership strengthened Lithuania's security and helped consolidate European values - democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and personal freedoms, and strongly contributed to the modernization of Lithuania's economy, the competitiveness of the economy, the creation of a reliable business environment and a better investment environment. Being in the total 500 mln. of consumers in the EU internal market is one of the most important growth factors of Lithuania's economy.

 

In the center of the obverse of the coin is a tricolor, symbolizing the independence of the state of Lithuania, which provided the basis for becoming a full member of both NATO and the EU. Around the flag - Vytis, the symbol of the coat of arms of Lithuania, the inscription "LITHUANIA", the denomination "20 €", the year "2024", the logo of the producer UAB "Lietuvos monetų kalykla". In the background of the coin are fragmented symbols of NATO and EU, depicted at different measurement levels. In the center of the reverse side of the coin is a tricolor, symbolizing the independence of the state of Lithuania, which provided the basis for becoming a full member of both NATO and the EU. Around the flag - NATO and EU symbols, next to it - the dates of Lithuania's accession to NATO and the EU: 2004. March 29 and in 2004 May 1st In the background of the coin - the 5th article of the North Atlantic Treaty written in microtext and the musical notes of the EU anthem - Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony "Ode to Joy".