Vice-Minister Plepytė at a meeting with the U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Baker: The transatlantic bond is the cornerstone of the Alliance's security
On 30 April, in Washington, D.C., the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Audra Plepytė met with the United States Deputy National Security Advisor Andy Baker.
The Vice-Minister expressed her gratitude to the U.S. administration for its consistent support for Lithuania's security, emphasizing that the deployment of U.S. forces, joint exercises, and close military cooperation are key factors in strengthening security in the region and ensuring credible deterrence. Lithuania will continue to ensure the best support as the host country.
The meeting focused on the security situation in the region, preparations for the NATO summit in Ankara, defence financing and its transformation into tangible readiness, and the development of bilateral relations, including in the defence industry field.
When discussing the security situation in the region, the Vice-Minister stressed the need to maintain a strong deterrence and defence posture on NATO's eastern flank. The Vice-Minister emphasized that Lithuania itself consistently invests in the national defense and strengthens its military capabilities, responding quickly to the security environment and Russia's immediate and long-term threats.
“Lithuania is increasing defence spending in a targeted manner and is using it for the rapid development of defence capabilities. Our ambition is to be an active security provider that actively contributes to the collective defence of the Alliance and not merely a consumer of security," the Vice-Minister Plepytė said.
Much attention was paid to the priorities of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. The need to advance long-term defense financing throughout the Alliance was discussed, stressing the importance of allied unity in order to effectively counter security threats.
The meeting highlighted the exceptional strategic partnership between Lithuania and the United States in the field of defence.
The Vice-Minister thanked the U.S. for its consistent commitment to European security and underlined that Lithuania remains a reliable and active member of the transatlantic community, contributing to the implementation of common security goals.
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