The Ministers discussed transatlantic relations and their prospects for security and defense, economy, and other international policy areas. They agreed on the need to promote the EU-U.S. cooperation and avoid disagreements over the escalation of trade policy. The Vice-Minister N. Germanas noted that the EU-U.S. partnership was indispensable, and that third parties did not hesitate to take advantage of all differences in partners‘ opinions immediately.
The meeting paid special attention to the Middle East. The Vice-Minister N. Germanas presented the results of the working visit to Lithuania by the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 23-26 August. Germanas also reiterated that Lithuania supported the European-Israeli dialogue and appreciated the country's contribution to the fight against terrorism, but stressed that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the violence in the Gaza Strip should also be criticized.
