Legislation, Lithuania, Security, Society

This will ensure the adequate manning of units and enhance Lithuania's defensive capabilities.

"The reintroduction of continuous mandatory initial military service is an important and significant step in strengthening the country's defendability. We have seen that Lithuanian people are public-spirited and ready to defend the Homeland. Guaranteeing the national security is the top priority at the moment," said the president.

The law reinstates conscription for a temporary 5-year period. The first conscripts, aged 19-26 years, will be drafted already this autumn to complete 9-month military service. Up to 3,500 conscripts will be drafted in 2015. Those who complete military service are subject to receive state guarantees when studying and finding employment.

According to the president, the Armed Forces have to be ready to receive conscripts and ensure a smooth and transparent draft. Grybauskaite has also called to revise the Law on Military Conscription and improve incentives so that youths would be more motivated to carry out mandatory military service.