LITHUANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSED SECURITY ISSUES DURING THE MEETINGS WITH THE U.S. OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
On 15 November in Washington, D.C., Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Audronius Ažubalis and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy of the United States Michèle Flournoy discussed security cooperation between Lithuania and the U.S.A. Lithuanian Foreign Minister thanked the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy for supporting the preparation of NATO’s defense plans. “These defense plans are a symbol of solidarity and NATO’s commitments,” the Minister said.
Head of the Lithuanian diplomacy highlighted his belief that NATO air-policing mission in the Baltic States would be extended until 2018 and later would become a permanent mission.Under Secretary M.Flournoy thanked Lithuania for its important contribution to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
According to Minister A.Ažubalis, aware of the importance of the international mission in Afghanistan for regional and global security, Lithuania will aim to continue its activities in this country and to help its people.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister and the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Lisbon.
Minister A.Ažubalis said that Lithuania was satisfied with NATO’s new Strategic Concept, the adoption of which is planned in Lisbon, and stressed that when evaluating new threats to the security of NATO member countries, it was necessary to include the energy dimension.
On the same day, the Foreign Minister discussed energy security issues at the meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman.
During the conversation, Minister A.Ažubalis presented the current energy projects in Lithuania and highlighted that the objective of the Government of Lithuania was a stable, secure and reliable supply of energy resources at competitive prices.
“We are very grateful to the U.S.A. for political and technical assistance in enhancing Lithuania’s energy security,” the Minister said.
The Minister drew attention of the U.S. officials to the Centre for Energy Security that is being established in Lithuania: it could contribute to the research and debates on energy security and give recommendations for the countries in the region regarding energy security challenges and ways to strengthen their own energy security. The Minister invited the U.S.A. to contribute to the enhancement of the centre’s analytical capacities.
On 15 November, Minister A.Ažubalis also met with Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Howard Berman and discussed the strengthening of democracy in Lithuania’s neighbourhood and strengthening of transatlantic relations.
On 16 November at the non-profit public policy organization The Brookings Institution, the Minister gave a lecture and participated in a debate on Europe’s future and relations of the West, Russia and Eastern Europe. Meetings of the Minister with U.S. congressmen, representatives from analytical centres for foreign policy research, Jewish organizations, and with journalists are also scheduled.
