Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis met in Washington with his new American counterpart Christopher Miller.
“I am pleased with the intensification of bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and the United States in recent years. Therefore, we will continue to strive for even greater US involvement in strengthening security along NATO’s eastern borders”, – he said.
Also, during a meeting with his American counterpart, Raimundas Karoblis assured that the presence of US troops together with NATO forces strengthens the security of the entire eastern flank of NATO. Therefore, according to the minister, Vilnius is striving “to create all the necessary conditions for the rotation of the allied forces in Lithuania”. A battalion of American soldiers participating in the exercises is currently based in the republic.
“We want the United States to view Lithuania as a permanent location for its forces. Therefore, we are investing in infrastructure, creating conditions for the deployment of American troops. We are ready to receive US troops and provide them with all the opportunities to provide military training and fulfill their tasks”, – Karoblis stressed.
According to the minister, “the joint exercises of American and Lithuanian soldiers in Lithuania also improve interaction with the Allied soldiers”. In turn, the interim head of the US Department of Defense discreetly praised Lithuania for the amount of contributions for military purposes, but added that “2 percent of GDP should be the minimum level, not the maximum”.