Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) Adm. James Stavridis after his visit in Lithuania thanked people of our country in a letter.
„To the People of Lithuania,
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm hospitality I received on my first visit to your country as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
During my visit I met your President H.E. Ms. Dalia Grybauskaitė, Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Audronius Ažubalis, Minister of Defence Mrs. Rasa Juknevičienė, and the Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, - leaders with a clear vision of the future and many ideas about how we can take forward our great Alliance.
My message is one of thanks to the people of Lithuania for the courageous and professional contributions of the Lithuanian Armed Forces to NATO operations. Particularly for Lithuania's remarkable contribution to ISAF through the Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team and for contributing as well to the special operations' role, which I consider key components to our stability and security efforts.
I would like to underline the regular contributions Lithuania makes to the NATO Response Force. Lithuania's consistent support of the NRF rotations is vital to the NRF's continuing operation.
My heart was deeply warmed by the enthusiasm, graciousness and openness of everyone with whom I met. Thank you again for such a warm reception. All the best to you, and I look forward to returning to Lithuania soon.
Sincerely yours,
James G. Stavridis
Admiral, United States Navy
Supreme Allied Commander Europe"
Pictures by G. Maksimovicz.
PR Officer to the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Capt Tomas Balkus, office phone (00370) 278 5091, cell phone.: 00370 682 25 359
