In the law amendment project, attention is paid to the flags of the EU, NATO and Ukraine
If the Seimas approves his initiative, showing solidarity with Ukraine as long as the aggression against this country continues, the flag of Ukraine could be raised near the buildings of state or municipal institutions.
Ž, who registered the draft amendment to the law on the state flag and other flags. Pavilionis proposes to provide that it can be raised “flags of democratic foreign states against which military aggression is being carried out, when the decision of the Seimas recognizes such aggression and expresses support for such a foreign state.”
“We offer a more general wording regarding Ukraine. We would have the right to raise such a flag when the Seimas decides that aggression is being carried out against some democratic state, and Lithuania expresses its support for it.
Vilnius was once decorated with the flags of Sakartvelo on a sad occasion, later of Ukraine and Belarus.
If any of our neighbors were attacked, we would have the right to raise the flag of the attacked country against which aggression is being carried out, if the Seimas decides and confirms with its votes that such aggression is being carried out, that we support that country”, Ž. commented on the amendment to the Eltai Law. Pavilion.
According to his observations, at the moment we can raise the flag of any country, but that right is constantly contested because “some citizens lack justification”.
“We want to create an explanation and justification that we can raise the flags of those countries against which aggression is being carried out in front of state and municipal buildings, if the Seimas decides to do so. Today it is Ukraine, and tomorrow it can be any other country, because as long as Putin exists, such a possibility also exists,” said Ž. Pavilion.
According to the currently valid regulations, the flags of the European Union and NATO cannot be permanently flown near, above or on the buildings of state or municipal institutions. Taking into account the fact that 2024 will mark the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in the European Union and NATO, the Chairman of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs Ž.Pavilionis suggests expanding the possibilities of raising their flags.
“The current law allows EU and NATO flags to be raised if guests from those institutions arrive, if we commemorate any important date related to these institutions. But we are members of the EU and NATO every day. Therefore, we want to have the right to raise those flags not only on the occasion of the arrival of guests from these institutions, because we are family members, and not just welcoming guests,” Ž said to Elta. Pavilion.
According to the currently valid Law on the State Flag and Other Flags, the flags of foreign states, the European Union and international public organizations may be flown near, above or on the buildings of state or municipal institutions and bodies of the Republic of Lithuania only when official guests and special missions are visiting them. representatives, as well as on the occasion of memorable days or official international events in these institutions and establishments, in other cases determined by the Government in accordance with the requirements of the diplomatic protocol, reminds ELTA.
According to the currently valid regulations, natural and legal persons may raise the national (national) flags of foreign countries, the European Union or international public organizations or flags at their own discretion, in accordance with the principles of flag use and only in such a way as not to show disrespect to these flags.