Lithuania's national security minister says it's possible to improve vetting procedures

95
1
Lithuania's national security minister says it's possible to improve vetting procedures

He told BNS that we need to have a bit more research into what the Latvians did but it seems to me that we already have what they did as companies that don't meet the Euro-Atlantic security criteria simply can't participate in transactions, let alone acquire controlling stakes.

Kasciunas pointed out the existence of a very strict procedure used by the government's special commission to vet foreign investors and transactions.

In 2017, we have a strong vetting mechanism for strategic companies and deals, created in 2017, where any attempt by third country companies to approach our institutions, offer contracts, technology and technology in a wider sense than just acquiring shares has to be approved by the commission. It includes the State Security Department and other services that manage information, Kasciunas said.

He pointed out that existing controls are among the tightest in the EU, and they have so far helped prevent risky Chinese or Russian investments into Lithuania's strategic infrastructure. The politician did not rule out the possibility that the existing screening procedure could be improved.

Last week, Latvia's Saeima adopted amendments to its national security law banning Russian and Belarusian legal or natural persons from holding significant or controlling stakes in companies with national security importance to Latvia.