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Experts from the United States and Lithuania met in Vilnius on May 21, 2014, to discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation to counter nuclear smuggling.  These discussions are being conducted under the auspices of the bilateral Counter Nuclear Smuggling Joint Action Plan of April 2013.  Under the plan, the U.S. and Lithuania have agreed to work together to strengthen capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear and radiological material smuggling incidents.  At the meetings, delegations from both countries reaffirmed the need to cooperate more closely to prevent terrorists and other criminals from illegally acquiring nuclear material or other radioactive material and to enable successful prosecutions of smugglers.

Lithuania has used past training with the United States to mentor other international partners.  Additionally, in January 2014, experts from the United States, Lithuania, and Slovakia participated in a trilateral workshop to share best practices and exercise procedures for responding to incidents of illicit nuclear or radiological smuggling.

During today’s meeting in Vilnius, both sides reviewed progress in implementing the steps of the U.S.-Lithuania Joint Action Plan.  In his opening remarks, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrius Krivas emphasized Lithuania's commitment to world-wide efforts to counter the threat of nuclear terrorism. “Implementation of the Joint Action Plan helps Lithuanian institutions to build capabilities by acquiring necessary equipment and important technical skills.”  Chargé d’Affaires Robert Silberstein thanked the Lithuanian government for its leadership in this important international effort and added that “the strong actions of the Lithuanians will help prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear material." Within its framework, both sides shared information on current nuclear smuggling threats and trends, and discussed best practices in the areas of nuclear detection, nuclear forensics, law enforcement investigations, and other tools to prevent, detect, and respond to incidents of nuclear smuggling. 

Collaboration between the United States and Lithuania to improve prevention, detection, and response capabilities will strengthen our capabilities to investigate and prosecute nuclear and radiological smugglers - making Lithuania, the European Union, and the United States more secure.

Joint Press Release of the Embassy of the United States of America and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania