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Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas on a formal visit in the United States of America met with U.S. Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel on October 25 at the Pentagon. The meeting high-ranking officials addressed participation in multinational operations and exercises, military technical cooperation, and defence spending.  Minister J. Olekas emphasised at the meeting that the United States of America is Lithuania’s key partner in multinational operations. When addressing international security J. Olekas notified the U.S. Secretary of State that the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania mandated Lithuania’s further contribution to the operation in Afghanistan post-2014. U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel thanked Minister Juozas Olekas for Lithuania’s support to the solution of the challenges of NATO’s way ahead and the significant contribution to the multinational mission in Afghanistan. The U.S. Secretary of Defense also congratulated Lithuania on recently becoming a temporary member of the United Nations Security Council and underscored that the acquired status should further enhance Lithuania’s position in international arena.

 The U.S. Secretary of Defense also praised Lithuania for having managed to stop negative trends of defence budgeting and encouraged to continue seeking increase in defence financing to the target 2 % of GDP.

 The Lithuanian Minister of National Defence presented to the U.S. Secretary of Defense Lithuania’s plans for further involvement in multinational operations and missions and intensifying Nordic-Baltic cooperation. Minister J.Olekas proposed the U.S.A. to increase participation in the exercises held in the Nordic-Baltic region when discussing the NATO Response Force (NRF) training.

 The meeting also addressed points of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) and energy security. The Lithuanian Minister invited the U.S.A. to make use of the possibilities of transit from Afghanistan via Lithuania more intensely.

 Juozas Olekas also informed Chuck Hagel that Lithuania will celebrate the 10th anniversary of NATO membership and NATO's Baltic Air policing mission in 2014. “I am very happy that on that date of tremendous importance to Lithuania U.S. troops will be providing protection of the Baltic skies. We are deeply grateful for your unremitting support and active participation in the Baltic Air Policing mission. I hope that the mission will continue being conducted from Šiauliai and will continue setting an example of collective approach, action and Smart Defence,” the Lithuanian Minister said.

 On the same day Minister J. Olekas attended discussions at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) which focused on security perspectives of the Baltic States, regional Nordic-Baltic cooperation, and other relevant security and defence issues. The discussions were attended by representatives of the “think tank”, ambassadors of NATO and the EU member states.

 On October 26 Minister J.Olekas will meet with Adjutant General of Pennsylvania and Commander of the Pennsylvania National Guard Major General Wesley E. Craig to address matters related to the forthcoming 20th anniversary of cooperation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Pennsylvania National Guard and other defence issues.

 During his visit Minister J.Olekas will also meet with the Lithuanian American Community.

 Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas is expected return from the visit in the U.S.A. on Ocotber 29.

PR Advisor to the Minister of National Defence Vaidotas Linkus, office phone no. 00370 5 273 5520, mobile phone no. 00370 620 81779, email: vaidotas.linkus@kam.lt

Photo courtesy: U.S. Department of Defense