On 21 October in Little Rock, the capital of the U.S. state of Arkansas, Ambassador of Lithuania to the United States Žygimantas Pavilionis and other ambassadors, who reside in Washington, D.C., met with former U.S. President Bill Clinton and discussed his historical contribution to the consolidation of independence and democracy after the Cold War, as well as the current international reality.

 Pavilionis thanked Clinton for his personal contribution to the consolidation of Lithuania’s independence and to the laying of the foundation of the country’s integration in the Euro-Atlantic family.

Ambassadors visited the President’s library and the museum in Little Rock, where Clinton started his political career. He was elected Governor of the state in 1978 (he became the youngest governor in the country at 32). Since 1992, he has been twice successfully nominated as presidential candidate.

Pavilionis gave a book “Lithuania on Maps” to the library, saying that the former President had contributed a lot helping Lithuania to once again appear on the world map. Clinton said that he loved old maps very much and that it would be great honour to him to have old maps of Lithuania in his library because consolidation of the independence of the Baltic States was very important both for him and for the United States.

The former President acquainted diplomats with opportunities of the state of Arkansas and called for strengthening business, cultural and other ties with this state. In Arkansas, ambassadors will also meet with local entrepreneurs, politicians, people in culture and representatives from the best universities.