The summit is held at the initiative of President Donald Trump to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Baltic States’ independence and to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the United States and Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. During her visit to Washington, the President will be accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Economy.
In Washington, the four presidents will adopt a joint political declaration setting out the guidelines for future cooperation.
President Dalia Grybauskaitė and President Donald Trump together with the Presidents of Latvia and Estonia will discuss regional security and ways of ensuring it, preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Brussels, NATO's defense reform, as well as U.S. support to further measures of deterrence and defense in the region.
According to the President, the United States plays a cornerstone role in securing the defense of Lithuania and the other Baltic States. The support and assistance extended by the United States – a deeply committed partner and the world's biggest military power – to the Baltic States is key for overcoming the existing security gaps in the region.
The United States actively contributes to the defense of our region - through troops, equipment and financial resources. Under the European Deterrence Initiative, financial assistance to enhance the defense capabilities of European countries, including Lithuania, and improve their military infrastructure is consistently increased by one third annually. The United States is also among Lithuania's main partners for military acquisitions. Lithuania buys US-made Raytheon anti-aircraft missiles. Oshkosh armored all-terrain vehicles, Bushmaster turrets, Javelin anti-tank systems, and other equipment and ammunition.
The summit meeting will place special focus on strengthening bilateral relations across economic, business and energy security areas. During the President's visit to Washington, two memorandums of understanding will be signed by Freeport LNG, which operates a liquefied gas terminal in the United States, and Lithuania’s LNG terminal operator Klaipėdos Nafta and natural gas supply and trading company Lietuvos Dujų Tiekimas. Both memorandums are aimed at opening one more option for gas supplies to Lithuania.
Lithuania was among the first countries in Europe to start importing American liquefied gas via the Klaipėda terminal. American gas exports to Lithuania and other European countries are an important factor to break up the Gazprom monopoly and ensure transparent and safe supplies.
The Baltic Presidents will open the Lithuania-Latvia-Estonia-U.S. Business Forum, which is expected to gather representatives from more than 200 Baltic and American companies.
In Washington, President Dalia Grybauskaitė will visit the U.S. Congress where she will meet with John Shimkus who is co-chair of the House Baltic Caucus. The support of U.S. Representatives is greatly important for ensuring political and financial assistance of the United States to Lithuania’s priority interests: defense, energy security and business.
The President will also attend the screening of Ashes in the Snow Ashes – a drama film based on the best-seller Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys - and meet with the film’s team and the author of the book.
