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On 8 August, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis met with Chair of the European Subcommittee of International Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives Elton Gallegly, who had been visiting Vilnius. At the meeting with the Congressman, Minister Valionis stressed that while integrating into NATO Lithuania strives to act as an ally to the US and NATO. “Lithuania’s integration process and our bilateral relations are to be viewed not only as relations between two allies but also as relations of sincere friendship,” Congressman Gallegly supplemented the Foreign Minister. The Congressman noted that in approaching the Prague Summit, no other foreign policy issue was being deliberated in the Congress as intensely as NATO enlargement was. Elton Gallegly pointed out that this was also due to especially active efforts of Lithuania. Congressman Gallegly singled out key criteria for evaluation of candidate countries: commitment to obligations undertaken, contribution to consolidating security and government transparency. “Evaluating Lithuania on the basis of these criteria, I see no problems,” the Congressman stated. “The progress of your country is tangible in all fields and if the voting on admission of new members were to take place already today, in my view, Lithuania would top the list,” Elton Gallegly said. “Lithuania indeed can be proud of the progress it achieved in the integration process and therefore it can expect optimistic outcome at the Prague Summit. Optimism is a driving force in striving for positive results,” Elton Gallegly observed.