The President and the newly appointed Ambassador discussed the possibilities for strengthening and consolidating the strategic partnership between Lithuania and the U.S. as well as bilateral political and economic relations. The President highlighted the need to make use of the newly emerged opportunities to enhance the relationship with the new U.S. administration, which understands the strategic importance of our region, the importance of the transatlantic bond, and value-based politics.
According to the President, it is necessary to deepen cooperation ties between Lithuania and the United States in security and defense with a view to establishing a permanent presence of U.S. troops in Lithuania. The President emphasized that Lithuania would keep to its commitment to allocate 2% of GDP for defense spending and was determined to reach an ambitious target of 2.5% by 2030.
Bilateral economic cooperation and prospects for its development as well as strengthening relations in innovation, science, and research were discussed at the meeting.
The President highlighted the need to expand contacts with the Lithuanian diaspora in the U.S. and to engage the Lithuanian community more in addressing issues of importance to Lithuania, promoting its interests as well as maintaining closer ties with Lithuania.
Audra Plepytė began her career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1994. Recently, she served as the Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations. Since 2021, she has been elected as President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for a one-year term.
