Linkevičius underscored that a permanent US presence in the region would be the best deterrent and security guarantor, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said in a press release.
“Strong transatlantic ties are irreplaceable. With the strengthening of external forces seeking to break the transatlantic unity, the need for cooperation goes beyond all possible differences in approach,” he was quoted as saying in the press release.
Pompeo underlined Washington’s firm commitment to the principles laid down in Article 5 of the NATO Treaty and the Baltic-US summit declaration and reiterated the importance of European countries meeting their defense commitments, the ministry said.