President Grybauskaitė presents letters of credence to Lithuania’s new ambassador to USA

The president and the new ambassador discussed prospects for strengthening the strategic partnership between Lithuania and the United States, which could be enhanced by maintaining dynamic ties with the US administration and the Congress.

Speaking about bilateral cooperation on military security issues, Grybauskaitė underlined that the Unites States was a reliable partner that helped to ensure the security of Lithuania and the whole of the region. In the face of Russian aggression threats, the US role is especially important in terms of strengthening defines capabilities. Active cooperation is also necessary in the area of information and cyber security.

Among the other issues discussed were bilateral economic relations. According to the president, it is necessary to maintain and accelerate the pace of expanding economic relations. Grybauskaitė underlined that Lithuania strongly supported efforts to conclude as soon as possible negotiations on the free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, which would not only strengthen interrelations between the countries, but would also boost economic ties.

The United States of America is an important partner of Lithuania in energy security. According to the president, more favourable conditions for the US gas exports to Lithuania would allow us to ensure the diversity of energy supplies and competitive prices.

The 700 thousand strong Lithuanian American community is the largest outside Lithuania. It should remain active and united, the president said.

Kriščiūnas, born in 1970, is married and has a son. In 1993, he received a bachelor’s degree in business informatics from Vytautas Magnus University. In 1994, he completed the European Union Studies at Clingendael Institute of International Relations. In 1996, Kriščiūnas earned a master’s degree in economic sciences from Ohio University. In 1993, he started working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was appointed deputy minister in 2012. The ambassador speaks English, French and Russian.