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Strengthening partnerships with the U.S. West Coast 

Between January 26-29, Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Sandra Brikaitė and the Consulate's economic team visited San Francisco and the Bay Area, where they met with U.S. officials and representatives of the Lithuanian diaspora. They also participated in the "Photonics West 2025" exhibition and attended other economic meetings, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and develop partnerships in technology and innovation. 

During a meeting with John Choi, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of State's Office of Foreign Missions in San Francisco, and his deputy David DiDomizio, they discussed relevant cooperation issues, including the activities of the Lithuanian diaspora in the region. The Lithuanian school and other diaspora initiatives were highlighted. 

The visit focused especially on meetings with representatives of the Lithuanian community. One of the key stops was the Moraga Art Gallery, where discussions with artists Danguolė Rita Kuolas and Dalia Alekna explored the possibility of organizing exhibitions of Lithuanian artists in California. 

During the San Francisco visit, significant attention was given to strengthening economic cooperation and expanding new partnerships, particularly in photonics, defence, and space innovation. 

At the Photonics West 2025 exhibition in San Francisco, Lithuania demonstrated leadership in photonics, optics, and laser technologies. 

Over 20 Lithuanian companies participated in the event, and the Lithuanian national booth attracted significant interest. The exhibition also featured a networking session connecting the Lithuanian and U.S. business communities. 

Additionally, the Consulate in Los Angeles organized a visit for Lithuanian laser companies to the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Innovation Unit and NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, where collaboration opportunities in defence innovation and space research, as well as potential partnerships with Lithuanian optics and photonics manufacturers, were discussed.