Seimas delegation to visit US to discuss cooperation in foreign policy, security and defence
Press release, 1 February 2022
On 2−4 February 2022, in the context of their visit to Washington, US, Members of the Seimas Committees on Foreign Affairs and on National Security and Defence will meet with members of the US Senate and House of Representatives, US Administration and NGOs.
The Seimas delegation includes Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Chair of the Committee on National Security and Defence; Giedrius Surplys, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; and Jonas Jarutis, Member of the Committee on National Security and Defence.
The Lithuanian parliamentarians and their US counterparts intend to discuss security and defence in the Baltic region, US assistance to Lithuania, threats posed by Russia to Europe, in particular on the border of Ukraine, prospects of NATO−Russia and US−Russia dialogue, Lithuania-China relations, as well as the strategic dialogue between Lithuania and the US on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Ms Andrikienė, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, noted that ‘Lithuania is working on establishing and developing strong long-term relations with East Asian countries that share with Lithuania a common commitment to promoting democratic values; we therefore count on the US political and expert support in this regard. In Washington, we intend to discuss the matters pertaining to economic cooperation between Lithuania and the US, as Lithuania seeks to gain access to new markets, diversify its export markets, and create new prospects for Lithuanian businesses.’
During their visit, the Members of the Seimas Committees will present Lithuania’s assessment of security threats in the region and urge members of the US Congress to express their firm support for the effective strengthening of the Alliance’s deterrence measures, with permanent presence of rotational US forces in the Baltics and the expansion of forces in the Baltic region as the key element of deterrence. ‘The US military presence and its maintenance in Lithuania is a key pillar of deterrence and a means of improving the readiness of the Alliance to act together,’ said Mr Kasčiūnas, Chair of the Committee on National Security and Defence.
Rimas Rudaitis, Adviser, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]
Monika Kutkaitytė