Krivas thanked the U.S. for its leadership in the implementation of the measures to ensure security in the region and stressed the need to move away from the measures to ensure security towards deterrence measures, which required a greater and permanent presence of the U.S. and allied forces in the region. A lot of attention was given to the upcoming NATO Summit in Warsaw and to NATO’s preparedness to respond rapidly to emerging crises.
The delegation of the U.S. Congress advisors is paying a visit to Lithuania on 29 May-3 June at the invitation of the Seimas (Parliament) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. During the visit, the U.S. Congress administration officials will also meet with the leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Seimas Committee on National Security and Defence, leaders and members of the Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with the United States of America, and advisers to the President. The U.S. officials will also take part in roundtable discussions at the Eastern Europe Studies Centre and the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence.
The U.S. Congress administration officials have already visited the liquefied natural gas terminal, and the LCC International University in Klaipėda, met with the leadership of the company Klaipedos Nafta and of the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, and participated in a discussion with energy experts. During the visit, the U.S. Congress advisors also visited the company Achema in Jonava and met with the Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers in Rukla.
In accordance with a well-established tradition, the U.S. Congress advisors visit all the Baltic states every two years. Last year, Lithuania organised a visit of the U.S. Congress advisors together with Latvia and Estonia. This year, the delegation consisting of eight officials pays a visit only to Lithuania.
