News

On 29 April in Washington D.C., the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Audra Plepytė discussed bilateral security and defence cooperation between Lithuania and the U.S., NATO’s agenda, security in the Baltic Sea region, and the situation in the Middle East at a meeting with the United States Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby.

During the meeting with Colby, the Vice-Minister Plepytė emphasized Lithuania's strong commitment and contribution to strengthening transatlantic relations, thanked the U.S. for its military presence in Lithuania, and the long-standing support for our defence.

Plepytė noted Lithuania's leadership among NATO allies in defence spending, the country's actions to strengthen its security and that of the Alliance, and the host nation's support for the U.S. troops deployed in Lithuania.

"The presence of U.S. forces is a key deterrence factor and an indispensable contributor to the security of the Baltic region and the Alliance as a whole. We have a deadly serious approach to our defense commitments; we are accelerating their conversion into tangible military capabilities and constantly encourage other allies to follow suit," said ​Plepytė.

In Washington, D.C., the Vice-Minister also met with Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Policy toward Russia and Central Europe in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, to discuss regional security and preparations for the NATO summit.

The need to ensure long-term growth of defence funding across the Alliance, to consistently strengthen tangible defence capabilities, and the importance of allied unity to effectively counter security threats were highlighted.

The meetings noted progress in defence industry cooperation between Lithuania and the United States, which has a particularly high potential, as well as readiness to work together towards sustainable opportunities to rapidly strengthen defence industrial capabilities. The Vice-Minister underlined Lithuania's readiness to contribute practically to key security initiatives, including maritime safety in the Middle East region.

Plepytė also discussed the importance of transatlantic relations and the security situation with experts from the US think tanks, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Atlantic Council, Hudson Institute, Stimson Center, and Quincy Institute.

Center for Strategic and International Studies, Atlantic Council, Hudson Institute, Stimson Center, and Quincy Institute.