The Lithuanian government approved on Wednesday a proposal to simplify the procedure for citizens to enrol in civil or military service abroad.
"It is important for the state to know in which other countries Lithuanian citizens serve and what positions they hold. Therefore, the obligation to obtain a permit is established for all citizens. This ensures the state's objectives: to know where its citizens serve and to prevent threats in advance," the project's explanatory note states.
According to the proposal, the interior minister would issue permits when a Lithuanian citizen intends to serve as a politician, official, or in other roles related to justice, public administration or statutory service in foreign institutions, where foreign citizenship or an oath of allegiance is required.
The defence minister would decide on permits for Lithuanian citizens wishing to join the military service of another state that requires citizenship or an oath of allegiance.
The same procedure would apply to military service.
The Interior Ministry cited the French Foreign Legion as an example where service does not require citizenship or an oath; in such cases, Lithuanian citizens would not need a permit.
Permits would be denied if the service poses a threat to Lithuania's security, contradicts national or foreign policy interests, or if the individual has not completed mandatory military service.
The law also stipulates that Lithuanian citizenship could be revoked not only for current service without a permit but also for past such activities.
Currently, permits are issued by the government. So far this year, more than 20 Lithuanian citizens have been granted permission to serve in the military forces of various European and other states.
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