During the meeting, the participants underlined that strategic partnership with the USA is Lithuania’s foreign policy priority and declared readiness to strengthen cooperation in all fields.
ʻI would like to highlight the importance of transatlantic unity. We highly appreciate your long-term focus on the security of our region and strengthening of transatlantic links. You are one of the best experts of defence of the Baltic States in Washingtonʼ, said the Prime Minister.
The Head of the Government stressed that each year Lithuania implements consistent investment policy in the field of defence. This year defence expenditure reached 2 per cent of GDP. The Prime Minister initiated the signing of the agreement between the political parties aimed at increasing defence expenditure to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030. During the meeting, the need to guide the bilateral cooperation with the USA in the field of defence by a long-term perspective was stressed. It would enable Lithuania to solve its defence capabilities related issues. In addition, it was underlined that permanent presence of USA soldiers in Lithuania would highly contribute to NATO efforts to ensure deterrence and defence.
