The text of the following statement was released by Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.
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On September 12, 2024, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell and Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis of Lithuania met in Vilnius for the 4th U.S.-Lithuania Strategic Dialogue on the Indo-Pacific. The Strategic Dialogue highlighted the critical role of the Indo-Pacific and the shared interest in strengthening bilateral partnership and democratic values, and long-term relationships with like-minded countries. Recognizing that the threats and challenges faced in Europe and the Indo-Pacific are interconnected, Deputy Secretary Campbell and Foreign Minister Landsbergis reiterated their commitment to exchanging expertise and furthering cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific. They emphasized the importance of cooperation between NATO and its partners in the Indo-Pacific and practical cooperation in areas such as supporting Ukraine, cyber defense, countering foreign disinformation, and technology.
The two sides expressed unwavering support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion and discussed the role that the PRC, DPRK, and Iran play in enabling Russia’s continuing aggression in Ukraine by its multi-faceted support for Russia’s defense industrial base. They also discussed the threat the sustained PRC malicious cyber and hybrid activities pose to transatlantic security. The deepening strategic partnership between Russia and the PRC and their attempts to undercut and reshape the rules-based international order remains a profound concern. They condemned Russia’s hostile hybrid attacks against Allies and agreed to work closely to address them. They also strongly condemned the DPRK’s continued export of arms to Russia and Russia’s use of DPRK ballistic missiles against Ukraine. Deputy Secretary Campbell and Foreign Minister Landsbergis reiterated their continued cooperation to counter the PRC’s use of economic coercion, with Deputy Secretary Campbell commending Lithuania’s resolve in resisting the unjustified PRC political and economic pressure. Both parties welcomed Lithuania’s efforts to strengthen its robust economic partnership with Taiwan and support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international fora. The two sides also expressed concern regarding the PRC’s continued provocative, destabilizing, and intimidating activities in the South China Sea. They underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and expressed opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion. The two sides look forward to continuing the effective and constructive U.S.-Lithuania Strategic Dialogue on the Indo-Pacific.
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