US focuses more on Eastern Europe, Lithuanian foreign minister says

“It is clear that we still have a lot of work to do to ensure that the vision, thanks to which Lithuania and other Baltic States are today regarded as an example of successful democratic transition, is successfully implemented in Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, which choose our path,” said Linkevičius.

The event was attended by a few dozen experts from the US and European countries, which are united by a wish to further strengthen the strategic US relationship with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. James Denton, the editor of the journal World Affairs that is located in Washington D.C., the former President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, an American of Lithuanian descent, Jeffrey Gedmin, the former president of the International Republican Institute Lorne Craner and the Eastern Europe Studies Centre are the main organizers of the event.

The foreign minister expressed his satisfaction that Lithuanian efforts in Eastern Europe were getting more support from influential experts in Washington and other NATO and EU countries.

“Historically, the United States has always played a pivotal role in the development of the area of freedom and democracy in Europe. I believe that the US will have an even more central role in the future and that also we, countries in the European Union, will be able to look at Eastern Europe with more solidarity, will create ourselves a long-term agenda for our foreign and security policy towards Eastern Europe, not only respond to a third country’s aggression against our neighbours,” said Linkevičius.

The event is the continuation of the Vilnius Democracy Forum, which was held on 15 September 2015 in Vilnius. Many of the participants thanked Lithuania for playing an increasingly important role as the centre for reflection on a common transatlantic strategy and tactics in Eastern Europe.