On 27 February, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius and his Latvian and Estonian counterparts met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, and discussed with him regional security, the situation in the countries of the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood, energy security in the Baltic States, and free trade between the European Union and the United States.

Linkevičius proposed that the United States should make benefit of Lithuania’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union and strengthen transatlantic relations.

The Minister also pointed out that gas supply alternatives were particularly important for energy security in Lithuania and the region.

The Ministers of the Baltic States also raised the issue of the membership of Lithuania and Latvia in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

This is the first meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic States with the new U.S. Secretary of State. Kerry assumed the office on February 1, 2013.

During his visit to Rome, Linkevičius met with Giovanna Lozoraitis, the widow of Kazys Lozoraitis. They saw the new premises of the Embassy of Lithuania, which will be located in Palazzo Blumenstihl.