Taking part in the meeting were Presidents of Latvia, Estonia, Finland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and President-elect of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.
The meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama focused on the security situation in the region, cooperation opportunities in addressing military, energy, economic, information and cyber security issues.
"Together we can give proper response to increasingly aggressive Russian actions and ensure the security of our people. U.S. presence in the region is an effective deterrent, yet we ourselves must responsibly strengthen our defence capabilities and explore ways to reduce economic and energy dependence on unpredictable neighbor," the President underlined.
According to the President, the United States is Lithuania's staunch ally that understands our security challenges and responds swiftly to emerging threats. When demonstration of power began near Lithuanian borders, the U.S. immediately sent all the necessary reinforcement - additional fighter jets arrived for the protection of airspace as well as elite long-term land and marine forces were deployed.
The statement U.S. President Barack Obama made today about allocating 1 billion dollars for the presence of U.S. troops, aviation and naval detachments in Eastern Europe and for enhancing regional security, demonstrates that the United States keeps its word, President Grybauskaitė said.
The President pointed out that liquefied natural gas exports from the United States to Europe and the EU-U.S. free trade agreement could give fresh impetus to the economic and energy security.
Lithuania is increasing its defence budget allocating more funds to enhance the level of protection, looks for more secure business markets, is finishing the construction of the liquefied natural gas terminal and carrying out other energy projects that will reduce dependence on Gazprom.
President Grybauskaitė calls on all countries to place greater focus on information security. U.S. experience in countering information attacks and hostile propaganda is highly important and valuable for Lithuania and other Baltic states. United efforts by all countries are also needed to fight cyber threats.
Among the other issues discussed at the meeting were preparations for the upcoming NATO summit which will be held this autumn in Wales. Important decisions for the review of contingency plans, enhanced security measures in NATO's border states, and further steps to ensure energy and cyber security will be taken during the summit.
