Lithuanian parlt adopts resolution on boosting strategic partnership with US

  • 2021-01-05
  • BNS/TBT Staff

VILNIUS – The Seimas of Lithuania on Tuesday adopted a resolution on strengthening its strategic partnership with the United States.

In the resolution, Lithuania commits to consolidate its strategic partnership with the United States in the area of defense and seek American armed forces' permanent presence in Lithuania.

The documents also underlines that Lithuania "has been and will remain a trusted partner of the United States in the world, Europe and the Baltic Sea region".

The document was backed by 108 lawmakers, and five MPs abstained. It was initiated by members of different political groups in the Seimas, including Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, representing the conservative Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, liberal Speaker of the Seimas Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, and other lawmakers.

Presenting the resolution, Zygimantas Pavilionis, chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, representing the HU-LCD, noted that a new US House of Representatives is starting work, adding that now is the right time for the Seimas to express its key priorities.

"The US is the fifth largest export market for Lithuanian-origin products and it's growing. Our exports are double of our imports. The US creates a lot of jobs in our country, almost 9,000. Therefore, with no doubt, we are in favor of deepening these trade ties, and this is what we will be seeking with the new administration," Pavilionis was quoted as saying in a statement released by the Seimas' press service.

The resolution also underlines that Lithuania is "a responsible NATO member that is fully committed to allocating 2 percent of its GDP for defense needs, contributes to ensuring security in the region and the world by taking part in international mission and operations".

The document also stresses that the US is the key strategic partner and ally in ensuring the security, stability and wellbeing of Lithuania and the other Baltic states, and "its military power is the key factor in ensuring NATO defense and deterrence in the Baltic Sea region".