News

  On 25 February, in Washington D.C., Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with Senator John McCain, Chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, and Andy Lack, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. Minister participated in the event at the US Congress to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania’s independence. The Minister emphasized the significant role of the US leadership in implementing NATO collective defense measures.

‘Lithuania welcomes the decisions of the NATO Summit in Wales to enhance capabilities of the Alliance in response to Russia’s aggression and expects support of the US in setting up  a NATO Force Integration Unit in Lithuania, prepositioning of equipment and forces as well as participation in joint exercises in Lithuania’, said Linkevičius.  The Minister reiterated Lithuania’s commitment to ensure a solid Host Nation Support upon arrival of the Allies.

The Minister also discussed with Senator McCain the importance of response to Russian disinformation campaign aimed at manipulation of the public opinion and which promotes dissatisfaction of certain groups of the society. The Minister stressed that such projects as the TV news program of the Radio Free Europe provide Russian speaking population a balanced alternative information.

The efforts of the West to counter propaganda were discussed with the new chief executive of the Broadcasting Board of Governors Andy Lack.  Linkevičius underlined ‘the lack of alternative sources of information, in particular television, in Russian, based on principles of freedom of press. USA and EU are slowly taking actions and it is very important to cooperate and support each other’ in this endeavor’. The importance of new trends of the informational technologies and engagement of youth into the informational projects was underscored by Andy Lack.

Minister addressed the honorable guests at the event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania’s independence at the US Congress Library and expressed gratitude to the United States of America for the continual support for Lithuania’s independence and membership in NATO and EU.

‘The word freedom has never been so precious and fragile as today. We understand that independence cannot be taken for granted’, said Linkevičius. He also noted that it is essential to assist Ukraine which faces Russia’ aggression. ‘It is the mission for all of us’, said the Minister.

Linas Linkevičius also participated in the closed door discussion at the Atlantic Council together with high level current and former officials of US Administration – James L. Jones, retired United States Marine Corps general and the former United States National Security Advisor,  Michael Hayden, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency,  Charles  F. Wald, former Deputy Commander of the United States European Command (EUCOM), Dennis Hastert, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and David J. Mercer, former US Navy Rear Admiral.