Press release, 28 May 2010
Mrs Irena Degutienė, Speaker of the Seimas, and other NB8 Parliamentary Speakers met with Mr Howard L. Berman, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the US House of Representatives, and other members of the Committee during the NB8 visit to Washington (USA). When opening the meeting, the Lithuanian Speaker noted that the Nordic and Baltic countries are gradually becoming an integrated community of states, which is characterised by the close coordination of foreign and security policy regardless of their different membership of the European Union and NATO.
We are aware that currently, apart from traditional challenges, an increasing number of new security problems is arising on the international arena; therefore, one of the principal aims of the visit is to find the activity areas where the close cooperation between the USA and NB8 states could bring added value. Therefore, today we would like to discuss an abundant variety of challenges and problems, Mrs Degutienė said.
The Speaker of the Seimas expressed her hope that the new strategic concept of the Alliance will address the problem of differing feelings of security in different NATO countries. Mrs Degutienė highlighted that Lithuania attaches great value to the resetting of the relationship between the US and Russia with due consideration given to the interests of small states, including the provision of the necessary security guarantees.
In response to this statement, the leaders of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the US House of Representatives expressed their awareness of the Baltic and some Nordic states concern with the resetting of the US-Russia relation and assured that the small Baltic and East European states will not be forgotten. It was underlined that the US aims at fostering good relations with and between all states.
Mrs Degutienė also underscored that Lithuania is fulfilling and will continue to fulfil its commitments in Afghanistan and will carry out military and civil projects in Ghor Province in cooperation with other states.
The Speaker of the Seimas also suggested to arrange for regular sittings of the US and NB8 parliamentary foreign affairs committees, which could be held at least once a year in Washington and, based on a rotation principle, in one of the Nordic or Baltic capitals.
Juozas Ruzgys, Spokesperson to the Speaker of the Seimas
