Xinhua News Agency
February 13, 2015
New Lithuanian-U.S. defense treaty to be signed this year
VILNIUS: Lithuanian and the U.S. defense officials have agreed to sign a new pact of defense cooperation this year, announced Lithuanian defense ministry on Thursday.
According to the statement from the ministry, the agreement was reached during the ministry’s defence policy director Vaidotas Urbelis’ visit to the U.S. and meetings with the U. S. defense officials.
According to the ministry, the new agreement is to define the status of U.S. forces deployed in Lithuania, investments in its infrastructure and joint defense projects to develop Lithuania’s defense capabilities.
“This is a message that lets us think the United States is prepared to assume long-term security commitments in Lithuania,” said Urbelis in a press release.
During his visit, Urbelis met with Elissa Slotkin, the assistant secretary of the defense for international security affairs of U.S. department of defense.
Both sides agreed that NATO has to strengthen its presence in Eastern Europe responding to the security challenges in the region. Urbelis informed the U.S. colleague that Lithuania is completely prepared for deployment of allied forces in Lithuania.
According to Lithuanian defense ministry, both sides agreed to consolidate efforts in assisting Ukraine.
“We have to unite our efforts in strengthening the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” said Urbelis.
He emphasized that Lithuanian embassy in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, serves as the NATO Contact Point Embassy.
Lithuanian and U.S. security cooperation took first steps in 1998 when U.S. and three Baltic states signed the Charter of Partnership. The document ensured U.S. support for the Baltic States’ eventual NATO membership.
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