Lithuanian foreign minister in Washington, to meet with Blinken, US senators

  • 2021-09-14
  • BNS/TBT Staff

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has arrived in Washington, D.C., for meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, members of the US Senate, and business and think-tank communities. 

Landsbergis' meeting with Blinken will focus on Lithuania-US cooperation and possibilities to strengthen economic ties, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry has said.

The two officials will also discuss international security policy challenges, the importance of a strong transatlantic relationship, the US contribution to regional security, support for democratic processes in the region and the world, and relations with China.

The program of the working visit also includes meetings with Robert Menendez, Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, other Senators, White House officials, and the Atlantic Council think-tank community.

Landsbergis is also scheduled to take part in events hosted by think tanks such as the German Marshall Fund and the Centre for European Policy Analysis, and to meet with representatives of US business companies investing in Lithuania, and with members of the local Lithuanian community.

Blinken and Menendez have recently expressed their support for Vilnius in its diplomatic row with Beijing. 

Relations between Vilnius and Beijing turned sour as Lithuania began to forge closer ties with Taiwan, which China regards as a rebellious province.

In August, China recalled its ambassador to Vilnius for consultations and demanded that Lithuania withdraw its envoy to Beijing.

Also, China has recently started halting freight trains to Lithuania and stopped issuing food export permits, and cut credit limits for Lithuanian companies and raised prices.