Lithuania’s diplomats seek to renew contacts in US, make new ones

“We are seeking to renew our existing contacts and, if needed, to establish contacts,” he told reporters.

In the minister’s words, Lithuania expects consistent leadership from the US in the NATO context.

“Really, we see no grounds for a dramatic or revolutionary change in the US position. There may be certain adjustments, but it will not change substantially,” said Linkevičius, who has held the post of foreign minister since 2012.

“We believe that the US will remain a key, strategic nation not only for Lithuania, but also for the EU as a whole, and we will focus our activities this way,” he added.

Trump’s pre-election remarks that he would look at whether the Baltic states are fulfilling their obligations before deciding whether to come to their defense stoked worries in Eastern and Central Europe over security threats posed by Russia.

Linkevicius said that if he is appointed foreign minister in the new government, Lithuania’s foreign policy will remain basically unchanged.

The implementation of NATO’s Warsaw summit decisions, the process of Lithuania’s accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the ensuring of energy security will remain among the top priorities, he said.

President Grybauskaitė is holding meetings with candidates for ministerial posts after Prime Minister-designate Saulius Skvernelis on Thursday unveiled his Cabinet line-up.