44 N A T I O N A L S E C U R I T Y S T R A T E G Y 7. The national security of the Republic of Lithuania is a part of indivisible security of NATO and the EU: a threat to one Member State of NATO or the EU is considered as a threat to the national security of the Republic of Lithuania; therefore, it is affected by challenges to regional, European and global security. The Republic of Lithuania bases its national security policy on the values common to NATO and the EU and implements it independently, in co-operation with other states and through international organizations. 8. In the current period the main threat for the security of the Republic of Lithuania is posed by aggressive actions of the Russian Federation violating the security architecture based on universal rules and principles of international law and peaceful co-existence. Aggression against the neighbouring countries, annexation of Crimea, the concentration of modern military equipment of the Russian Federation, its large scale offensive capabilities and their exercises near the borders of the Republic of Lithuania and other states, especially in Kaliningrad Region (Karaliaučius), cause international tension and threaten world peace. Capacity of the Russian Federation to use military and economic, energy, information and other non-military measures in combination against the neighbouring countries, ability to exploit and create internal problems of the states located in the Eastern neighbourhood of the Republic of Lithuania as well as preparedness of the Russian Federation to use a nuclear weapon even against the states which do not possess it is a challenge to the security of the Republic of Lithuania and the whole Euro-Atlantic community. These factors will affect national security not only in the short term but also in the future. 9. The security of the Republic of Lithuania directly and indirectly depends on long-term challenges in Europe’s Southern neighbourhood. Growing religious extremism in these regions, frozen conflicts, unstable states with the power and security vacuum emerged in them create conditions for the spread of terrorism, uncontrolled migration, organized crime, humanitarian crises and constitute a serious challenge for the EU unity. 10. Domestic progress of the Republic of Lithuania is necessary for its security and sustainable national development, therefore, social exclusion, demographic, economic, energy, environmental issues as well as information, cyber and public security are an integral part of national security. Chapter III INTERESTS OF NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA 11. Vital interests of the national security of the Republic of Lithuania are the interests which are safeguarded by employing all lawful means and violation of which would pose a threat to the existence of the State of Lithuania and its society. The vital interests of the national security of the Republic of Lithuania are as follows: 11.1. sovereignty, territorial integrity, democratic constitutional order; 11.2. civil society, respect for human and citizen’s rights and freedoms and their protection; 11.3. peace and welfare in the State.