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Roundup: Lithuania gets relationship assurances from upcoming U.S. administration: ministry

Xinhua, December 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

Lithuania's foreign minister said he was assured by Donald Trump's national security adviser that the relationship between the Baltic state and the U.S. would remain strong, the Lithuanian foreign ministry announced on Friday.

Lithuanian foreign minister Linas Linkevicius had a phone conversation with lieutenant general Michael T. Flynn who was offered the national security adviser post in Trump's administration.

"Flynn assured Linkevicius that the relationship between the United States and Lithuania would remain the same in security, trade, economy, and other fields," the ministry stated in a statement.

Meanwhile, Linkevicius ensured Flynn on the Baltic state's commitments to defense spending.

"We will be committed to our defense in a responsible way also in the future and this commitment is strongly supported by all political parties," Linkevicius was quoted as saying in the statement.

Earlier this year, Trump raised concerns in Lithuania and among NATO's other eastern flank states by saying he would have to review whether those countries had fulfilled their obligations before deciding to defend them. This year, Lithuania has increased its defense spending to 1.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), still short of NATO's target of 2.0 percent of GDP. The country has pledged to increase its defense spending up to 2.0 percent of GDP by 2018.

Lithuania has ramped up its defense spending, strengthened military training, and asked for an increased military presence from allies since tensions in Eastern Europe erupted with conflicts in Eastern Ukraine in 2014.

A group of U.S. senators are to pay a visit to the Baltic state in the coming two weeks, local media reported on Friday.

Diplomatic sources told news website vz.lt that the delegation, including Republican Party senator John McCain, will meet Lithuania's top officials to discuss the prospects of bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and the United States, especially in the field of defense and economy.

"It is expected McCain and his colleagues would assure Lithuania that the directions of U.S. foreign policy will not change fundamentally when the tenure of president-elect Donald Trump starts on Jan. 20 next year," vz.lt wrote.

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