In his address to the audience, the President stressed that historically the role of the United States had always been of great importance in Lithuania’s path of statehood and independence, and later on in the journey towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
According to President Gitanas Nausėda, the US policy of non-recognition of the forced incorporation of the Baltic states into the Soviet Union, its consistent support for Lithuania’s independence and sovereignty, as well as its continuous contribution to strengthening the security of Lithuania have contributed significantly to the creation of a safe and prosperous country.
The President underlined that Lithuania has been and will continue to be an advocate of strong transatlantic ties and their indispensability. According to the President, it is the cornerstone of our security and, in the context of the war in Europe, a precondition for our survival, so we must make every effort to ensure that America’s focus on Lithuania’s security remains unchanged and that we find new impulses to strengthen it.
“Relationship with the US will always be a priority of top strategic importance for Lithuania. We aim to ensure that US troops continue to be deployed in Lithuania. This is the most powerful element of deterrence,” the President pointed out.
Gitanas Nausėda also stressed that today, with the support of the US allies and its own consistent efforts, Lithuania has all the assurances of security and collective defense. According to the President, Lithuania will continue to invest in national defense and strengthen its defense capabilities.
The President highlighted that Russia’s war in Ukraine poses new challenges for strengthening the security of the Baltic region. The spirit of cooperation between Lithuania and the United States, which has been fostered for over a century, is needed again today more than ever. We must reinforce our friendship and partnership and share responsibility for the fate of democracy and values in our region.
