Vice Minister of National Defence Karolis Aleksa conducted a visit to the United States where he met with Director of the Joint Staff, Pennsylvania National Guard (PANG) Brigadier General Mark A. Goodwill. Vice Minister thanked for the enduring PANG support, discussed bilateral cooperation and prospects concerning development of the Lithuanian national division.
In later the next of the meeting Vice Minister presented regional capability development plans and requirement of U.S. financial assistance with capability directors of Estonia and Latvia. Meetings members of the Senate and House of Representatives, he underscored that the security situation in the region was pressing to focus harder on priority capability development. The Baltic states are increasing defence spending and taking all the necessary steps, however, the U.S. assistance speeds up implementation of the plans.
According to Vice Minister K. Aleksa, U.S. Congressmen and Congresswomen see the Baltic states as exemplary Allies and understand clearly the security challenges of our region. “Every dollar of U.S. assistance returns to the U.S. economy as U.S.-made capabilities are purchased. It is an important factor which exemplifies the mutual benefit of U.S. involvement to the citizens. This is an important argument in the discussions on continued support to our region with the new U.S. Administration,” Vice Minister said.
Vice Minister also had meetings with representative of different think-tanks and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) which addresses acquisitions from the U.S. and potential new projects.
