In implementing its foreign policy, the Republic of Lithuania shall follow the universally recognised principles and norms of international law, shall seek to ensure national security and independence, the welfare of its citizens, and their basic rights and freedoms, and shall contribute to the creation of the international order based on law and justice.
In the Republic of Lithuania, war propaganda shall be prohibited.
The Republic of Lithuania shall participate in international organisations provided that this is not in conflict with the interests and independence of the State.
There may not be any weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on the territory of the Republic of Lithuania.
The Seimas shall ratify or denounce the following international treaties of the Republic of Lithuania:
1) on the alteration of the boundaries of the State of the Republic of Lithuania;
2) on political co-operation with foreign states; mutual assistance treaties; as well as treaties of a defensive nature related to the defence of the State;
3) on the renunciation of the use of force or threatening by force; as well as peace treaties;
4) on the presence and status of the armed forces of the Republic of Lithuania on the territories of foreign states;
5) on the participation of the Republic of Lithuania in universal international organisations and regional international organisations;
6) multilateral or long-term economic treaties.
Laws, as well as international treaties, may also provide for other cases when the Seimas ratifies international treaties of the Republic of Lithuania.
International treaties ratified by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania shall be a constituent part of the legal system of the Republic of Lithuania.
The defence of the State of Lithuania against a foreign armed attack shall be the right and duty of each citizen of the Republic of Lithuania.
The citizens of the Republic of Lithuania must perform military or alternative national defence service according to the procedure established by law.
The organisation of national defence shall be established by law.
The main issues of national defence shall be considered and co-ordinated by the State Defence Council, which consists of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Seimas, the Minister of National Defence, and the Commander of the Armed Forces. The State Defence Council shall be headed by the President of the Republic. The procedure for its formation and activities, as well as its powers, shall be established by law.
The President of the Republic shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the State.
The Government, the Minister of National Defence, and the Commander of the Armed Forces shall be responsible to the Seimas for the administration and command of the armed forces of the State. The Minister of National Defence may not be a serviceman who is not yet retired to the reserve.
Persons performing actual military service or alternative service, as well as the officers of the national defence system, the police, and the interior, non-commissioned officers, re-enlistees, and other paid officials of paramilitary and security services who are not retired to the reserve, may not be Members of the Seimas, members of municipal councils, or municipal mayors. They may not hold any elective or appointive office in the civil State Service, or participate in the activities of political parties or political organisations.
The Seimas shall impose martial law, announce mobilisation or demobilisation, or adopt the decision to use the armed forces when the need arises to defend the Homeland or to fulfil the international obligations of the State of Lithuania.
In the event of an armed attack threatening the sovereignty of the State or its territorial integrity, the President of the Republic shall immediately adopt a decision on defence against the armed aggression, impose martial law throughout the State or in its separate part, or announce mobilisation, and submit these decisions for approval at the next sitting of the Seimas, or immediately convene an extraordinary session in the period between sessions of the Seimas. The Seimas shall approve or overrule the decision of the President of the Republic.
If a regular election must be held in time of war actions, either the Seimas or the President of the Republic shall adopt the decision to extend the term of powers of the Seimas, the President of the Republic, or municipal councils and municipal mayors. In such a case, elections must be called not later than three months after the end of the war.
When a threat arises to the constitutional system or social peace in the State, the Seimas may declare a state of emergency throughout the territory of the State or in any part thereof. The period of the state of emergency shall not exceed six months.
In cases of urgency, between sessions of the Seimas, the President of the Republic shall have the right to adopt a decision on the state of emergency and convene an extraordinary session of the Seimas for the consideration of this issue. The Seimas shall approve or overrule the decision of the President of the Republic.
The state of emergency shall be regulated by law.
Upon the imposition of martial law or the declaration of a state of emergency, the rights and freedoms specified in Articles 22, 24, 25, 32, 35, and 36 of the Constitution may temporarily be limited.
The State shall take care of and provide for servicemen who lose their health during military service, as well as for the families of servicemen who lose their lives or die during military service.
The State shall also provide for citizens who lose their health while defending the State, as well as for the families of citizens who lose their lives or die in defence of the State.