The meeting heard discussions about strategic Lithuanian-American partnership, cooperation in the field of defence, measures for ensuring regional security, the allies’ support, fight against terrorism, the situation in Ukraine, threats posed by Russia to international peace, information security, and priorities of the incoming US administration.
Minister thanked the Senators for the US’s long-standing support to Lithuania and contribution to strengthening Lithuanian and regional security.
“We are grateful for your visit which is a clear sign of solidarity and friendship between our nations,” Linkevičius said.
“With the appearance of new threats to European and international security, we must continue strengthening the partnership and transatlantic ties between Lithuania and the USA. The presence of American forces in the Baltic states and Europe as well as the allies’ mutual commitments to collective defence are signals to any potential aggressor and the most effective means to ensure peace,” Minister noted.
Coordination of transatlantic actions by maintaining a principled stance towards the Russian aggression in Ukraine was noted as critically important.
Minister underlined that Lithuania was ready to continue the close cooperation between the two countries in their fight against terrorism and information and cyber-attack threats.
The US Senators had meetings with the highest officials of Lithuania: President Dalia Grybauskaitė, Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis, Speaker of the Seimas Viktoras Pranckietis, and Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis during their visit to Lithuania. The Senators also met and talked with people at the historical barricades close to the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, participated in the meetings with Lithuanian university students and NGO representatives. Before coming to Lithuania, the US politicians visited Estonia and Latvia and will pay visits to Ukraine, Georgia and Montenegro on their trip to Europe.
