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Lithuania to step up defense cooperation with U.S.: report

Xinhua, December 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

Lithuania and the United States prepare to sign the first deal on cooperation in the field of defense, local media reported on Thursday.

The document is to determine the status of the U.S. troops in Lithuania. As Lithuanian defense ministry informed BNS news agency on Thursday, the agreement would simplify the procedures for the U.S. soldiers to arrive and stay in Lithuania.

"With this agreement the U.S. strengthens and reaffirms its defense commitments to Lithuania, and Lithuania in turn provides all necessary conditions for the implementation of these commitments," the defense ministry told BNS.

According to BNS, the agreement would also grant the U.S. soldiers tax exemptions in Lithuania.

Lithuania and other Baltic states have asked for security support and stepped up their defense capabilities since tensions in eastern Europe emerged with conflicts in eastern Ukraine.

The U.S. armed forces have been present in Lithuania and attending joint military exercises since 2014.

In July 2016, NATO alliance leaders agreed to deploy four battalions that consist of up to 1,000 each to the three Baltic States and Poland. Endit