The United States of America is our closest friend and ally. I appreciate that we have each other’s mutual support in our endeavors as well as security challenges we are facing.
Today we reflected on our many achievements and set a course for our future undertakings.
We agreed to enhance our defense and security cooperation. The Baltic States appreciate the United States commitment to deterrence policy in the Baltic region and the military assistance provided to our forces. We will continue to commit 2% of GDP for the development of our military capabilities both for the purposes of strengthening NATO’s posture in the eastern flank and to contribute to international security.
The Baltic States and the United States acknowledged the need to continue existing successful cooperation in countering modern day security threats, such as terrorism, cyber and information warfare, and nuclear proliferation.
All of us today committed to placing greater emphasis on advancing our economic, trade and investment relationship. We recognize great potential in areas of innovations, modern technologies and digital economy and we will explore possibilities for forging new partnerships to this end.
The Baltic States welcomed commitment by the United States to increase U.S. exports of LNG to Europe, particularly to our region, thus contributing to diversification of energy supplies and enhancing energy security of the Baltic States.
The Baltic States and the United States agreed to continue promoting closer people-to-people contacts, including by increasing the number of scholarships for graduate students and scholars under the Fulbright Program.
The Summit takes place at very symbolic time for the Baltic States. We are honored and privileged to celebrate our centennial of declarations of independence together with our friends.
