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On 14 June Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas paid a working visit to Washington and took part in events dedicated to commemoration of 85th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Baltic States and the U.S. On this occasion Lithuanian Foreign Minister P. Vaitiekūnas, Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet were received by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the U.S. Department of State. At the meeting transatlantic security, democracy development support, energy and visa issues were discussed.

Minister P. Vaitiekūnas invited the U.S. Secretary of State to take part in celebration of 10th anniversary of the U.S.-Baltic Charter of Partnership in January 2008 in Lithuania. The Minister also proposed to organize regular meetings of Baltic and the U.S. foreign ministers. After the meeting a reception was held in the Department of State. Delegations of Baltic States’ foreign ministers, representatives of Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian communities in the U.S., members of the diplomatic corps attended the reception. 

Lithuanian Foreign Minister addressed the participants of the reception and reminded that for more than 50 years Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were occupied by Communist regime, people of the countries could not enjoy freedom and democracy. 

“14 of June is the day when Lithuanians commemorate the beginning of mass deportation of our people to Siberia,” Minister P. Vaitiekūnas said and emphasized that even in the dark times of Soviet occupation Lithuanians did not lose hope.   

The Head of Lithuanian Diplomacy expressed gratitude to the Unites States for never recognizing the forcible incorporation of Lithuania into the Soviet Union. 

“Thanks to you, the Day of Lithuania’s Independence was celebrated every year and Lithuanian national flag fluttered at the Department of State beside other national flags,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister noted. 

During his visit to Washington Minister P. Vaitiekūnas participated in the conference “U.S.-Baltic Relations: Celebrating 85 Years of Friendship” organized by the Heritage Foundation, Margaret Thatcher Freedom Centre and Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian embassies in Washington. Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Economy Vytautas Naudužas also delivered an address at the conference. 

Minister P. Vaitiekūnas also took part in the commemoration of the 14 June - Mourning and Hope Day, organized by American Lithuanians and paid tribute to the memory of victims of deportation and occupation by laying flowers at the recently dedicated Victims of Communism Memorial in Washington.

During his visit Minister P. Vaitiekūnas also met Congressman Alcee Hastings who is Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, a Democrat representing the State of Florida.

Lithuania and the U.S. established diplomatic relations on 28 July 1922.