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On 22 January, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis, continuing his visit in Washington, met with members of the US Congress and the National Security Council and the Ambassadors of the Vilnius Ten Group in Washington. Minister Valionis acquainted the academic society with Lithuania’s regional role after NATO and EU enlargement at the discussion on the topic “Securing Societies and States: The Baltic Region After EU and NATO Enlargement” organised at the Paul H.Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of the Johns Hopkins University, where he made a major report. The Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined the importance of the United States’ attention towards the Baltic region and presented Lithuania’s input into strengthening stability and security in the region. “Lithuania can best contribute to broader security by continuing to assume a role of leadership in regional cooperation, by sharing the experience of building democracy and free market economy with countries who remain outside EU and NATO enlargement area,” the Minister stated. The Minister pointed out that Lithuania’s goal is to create free, united and prosperous Europe. Minister Valionis reiterated Lithuania’s determination to fight against international terrorism and defend freedom, democratic values and human rights, “where our presence is most needed”. “Our history taught us to defend freedom. To understand that the loss of freedom in any one part of the world means a loss to us all. By joining international peace operations in the Balkans ten years ago, and more recently, by joining US-led coalition in Afghanistan and Iraq, Lithuania demonstrated its readiness to take up the responsibilities of an ally,” the Minister indicated. The Minister underscored for the academic society and friends of Lithuania, who gathered at the Johns Hopkins University, that in order to fight efficiently against the threats of the 21st century, “Europe and the United States must stand united”. The bilateral Lithuanian-US relations after Lithuania’s accession into the EU and NATO as well as cooperation in the spheres of economy and trade were discussed at the Minister’s meeting with Senator of the State Illinois Richard Durbin. During the conversation with NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) President, Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee of the Committee on International Relations of the US House of Representatives Doug Bereuter, the participation of Lithuania at the international peacekeeping operations, including missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, was discussed. The Congressman thanked Lithuania for active participation in the fight against terrorism. At the meeting, officials discussed a vision of NATO development and the importance of the transatlantic link. Antanas Valionis acquainted Doug Bereuter with experience and the projects of Lithuania’s regional cooperation with Belarus, Ukraine and the countries of Caucasus and the agreement between Lithuania, the EU and Russia on the transit to and from the Kaliningrad Region. Minister Valionis also met with Senior Director of the National Security Council Dan Fried, who thanked Lithuania for its input into the fight against international terrorism. On the same day, the Minister had breakfast meeting with the Ambassadors of the Vilnius Ten Group. The participants of the conversation favoured the idea that the spirit of the Vilnius Ten Group and cooperation would not end with the accession of Lithuania and the other six Central European countries into NATO in May 2004. The participants of the meeting exchanged their views on further support by the Vilnius Ten Group to Albania, Croatia and Macedonia on their way to NATO and talked about the future meeting of the Group’s Prime Ministers to take place in Slovakia this March. Tomorrow, on 23 January, Minister Valionis will meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Senator of Arizona John McCain, high officials of the US Department of State and the US Department of Defence, members of Jewish organisations.