On the occasion of the centenary of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and the U.S., Prime Minister Šimonytė welcomed the excellent bilateral relations and the value-based partnership between the two countries. Prime Minister thanked Vice President for the United States’ contribution to Lithuania's security over many years and for the support to Lithuania in the field of defence.
“The presence of U.S. troops in Lithuania and the support provided by the U.S. to the development of Lithuania's defence capabilities is a very important factor contributing to the increase in the security of the entire region. For its part, the Government of Lithuania is ready to meet all the necessary conditions to receive U.S. and allied troops in our country,” said Prime Minister.
Prime Minister stressed that the U.S. decision to have a reinforced U.S. rotational force in the Baltics undoubtedly strengthens deterrence and defence capabilities throughout the entire eastern NATO flank and sends an important message to a potential aggressor.
Ms Šimonytė noted that Russia remains and will remain for the foreseeable future the greatest threat to the European security, and therefore it is crucial to make sustainable decisions today that will deter Russia from potential aggression and enable the Allies to effectively defend every inch of the Alliance’s territory.
Ms Šimonytė stressed that today we must focus on practical progress in implementing the decisions made in Madrid on strengthening forward defence and deterrence.
Prime Minister emphasied that Ukraine is currently defending the freedom of the whole of Europe from the Russian aggression.
Prime Minister thanked the U.S. Administration for its leadership in rallying allies and supporting Ukraine in every way, especially with weapons. According to Prime Minister, lasting peace in Europe is only possible if Ukraine achieves a complete victory.
The parties also discussed cooperation in the field of energy as well as the challenges posed by autocratic regimes to democracies and the rule-based international order.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister also met with Ruben Gallego and Don Bacon, co-chairs of the House Baltic Caucus in the US House of Representatives, and with the members of the Caucus, who she thanked for their work in contributing to the strengthening of the security of the Baltic region, and for their firm support for Ukraine and condemnation of Russia's military aggression.
On the same day, Prime Minister also visited the Victims of Communism Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and met with its management. The parties discussed the importance of publicising and assessing the crimes of the communist regimes appropriately as well as upholding the memory of their victims, and the need to prevent the distortion of history–precisely what non-democratic regimes are doing today.
