During the meeting, the prime minister expressed his appreciation of excellent bilateral relations, stressed the necessity to further encourage cooperation not only among politicians, but also among business communities, talked over energy security issues as well as prospects for cooperation in this regard, NATO's Air-Policing mission in the Baltic Region, and the situation in Ukraine following yesterday's presidential elections.
"Let me stress that Lithuania highly appreciates the strategic partnership with the United States of America. We are delighted at the ever more active bilateral cooperation: recently we have seen visits not only by the US politicians, but also by the business community and NGO's to Lithuania. I believe that this will help our countries to forge even closer ties", said the rime minister in the meeting.
On new areas of cooperation, the prime minister mentioned cooperation in the field of energy. "Diversification of the liquefied natural gas export market is highly important to Lithuania, for it seeks to secure an alternative gas supply via the LNG terminal that is being constructed in Klaipeda. This would encourage competitiveness of the energy sector", said the prime minister.
The prime minister has emphasized in the meeting that NATO's Air-Policing mission in the Baltic Region is indispensable in the presence of the crisis in Ukraine. "The reinforcement of the Baltic Air-Policing mission, initiated by the US, demonstrates the commitments of the Alliance to the collective defence and solidarity of all its members", said Prime Minister Butkevicius, and pointed out that over the recent decade of Lithuania's membership of NATO, the US forces have already had four missions in Lithuania.
On presidential elections in Ukraine, Prime Minister Butkevicius voiced his appreciation of democratic elections and a new lawful Head of State. The prime minister expressed his hope that the new President will manage to consolidate the public of Ukraine, to stabilize the country's economy, and to preserve the country's territorial integrity.
