2009

A U.S. Air Force Plane Visits Lithuania

During September 19-21, 2009, a United States Air Force aircraft, which had previously received clearance from the Government of Lithuania, visited Lithuania on a regular diplomatic service mission that included several other American Embassies in Europe.  The plane stayed in Lithuania for two days to provide the crew with a normal rest period and to give them the opportunity to visit the many historical and memorable sights in Vilnius. 

Fragments of America - U.S. Documentary Today

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Cultural Programs Division, is pleased to announce the documentaries and filmmakers selected to travel overseas as part of our American documentary showcase offering - a touring program of prestigious contemporary U.S. documentaries and selected filmmakers. The showcase ios funded through a bureau of educational and cultural affairs (ECA) grant to the University Film and Video Association (UFVA) in partnership with the international documentary association (IDA). It is designed to promote American documentaries and their filmmakers at U.S. Embassy-organized events and/or U.S. Embassy-supported international documentary film festivals.

The UFVA has curated the program to offer a broad and diversified look at American life and values. The UFVA, along with a panel of documentarians, writers, scholars, professors and other experts in the field, selected the titles listed here from among hundreds viewed.

U. S. Embassy hosted a Ceremony to Congratulate Lithuanians Selected to Attend Military Service Academies in the United States

DCM Damian Leader

On Friday, 12 June 2009, the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius Office of Defense Cooperation hosted a ceremony to congratulate Lithuanians selected to attend military service academies in the United States. Cadet Arturas Kucharevas, from Vilnius, currently in his third year at the Lithuanian Military Academy, was selected to attend the United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO),  Cadet Vytautas Drejeris, from Vilnius, currently in his second year at the Lithuanian Military Academy, was selected to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT), and high school graduate Mr. Nerijus Sarkauskas, from Vilnius, was selected to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT). Deputy Chief of Mission Damian Leader congratulated them at a ceremony held at the U.S. Embassy's American Center. Family and friends of the selectees attended the ceremony, as well as VIPs from the Ministry of National Defense and other government organizations. 

The complete tuition for attendance at the service academies will be paid for by the U.S. government.  Upon graduating in 2013, they will begin serving in the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

U.S. Signs Science and Technology Agreement with Lithuania

Ambassador Cloud (left) and Minister Steponavicius

On June 22, U.S. Ambassador John Cloud and Lithuanian Minister of Education and Science Gintaras Steponavičius signed a Science and Technology Agreement. The agreement will allow the U.S. and Lithuania to share information, perform joint research, exchange scientists and researchers, organize joint scientific events and enhance collaboration between the scientific and educational institutions of both countries. more

U.S. Officer Receives Lithuanian Army Medal of Merit

On June 9, the head of the Office of Defense Cooperation of the U. S. Embassy in Lithuania Lt. Col. Richard Gibbons was awarded the Medal of Merit, the Lithuanian National Defense's highest honor. more

The flagship of the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet, the USS Mount Whitney, visits the port city of Klaipeda

[left to right] Lithuanian President Adamkus, Captain Carl Thomas, Ambassador Cloud and Mrs. Cloud

As soon as the flagship of the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet, the USS Mount Whitney, docked at the port of Klaipeda May 31, its captain and crew kicked off a four-day visit to show America's appreciation for the solid military relationship between the U.S. and Lithuania.  Captain Carl Thomas went ashore as soon as the ship was secured to meet Lithuanian naval officials for a press conference to inform media about the purpose of the ship's visit. more   photo gallery

INNOVATION GOES GREEN WITH THE SUPPORT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

By Ambassador John A. Cloud

On April 26, the World Intellectual Property Organization and the international community will observe the ninth annual World Intellectual Property Day to raise international awareness about the importance of intellectual property to our wellbeing. full text

March 27, 2009

Ambassador Cloud Congratulates Lithuania on the 5th Anniversary of Lithuania's Membership in NATO

It is my great pleasure to congratulate the people of the Republic of Lithuania on the 5th anniversary of Lithuania's membership in NATO.

The Government of the United States welcomes and appreciates efforts by the Government of Lithuania to maintain peace and stability in Europe and around the world by contributing to NATO operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Throughout its five years of NATO membership Lithuania has proven itself to be a strong and loyal ally of the organization and has demonstrated its commitment to the freedom and security of people of all member states, and the United States in particular. During the previous five years, Lithuania has not only become fully integrated in the trans-Atlantic process, but has done much to strengthen it by embracing new allies and safeguarding our common democratic values.

I am very proud to share this important occasion with you and would like to congratulate you again on this historic step in Lithuania's march to a prosperous future.

Sincerely,

Ambassador John A. Cloud

John A. Cloud: "People want a leader who shows that he understands problems and wants to solve them"

An Interview with Darius Varanavičius,  magazine "Valstybe", March 2009

Ambassador John A. Cloud [Photo by Redas Vilimas]

The Ambassador of the United States of America to Lithuania thinks that the American economic stimulus plan takes into consideration the whole world, while the solution for Lithuania's problems consists in not only the government's anti-crisis measures, but also in the diversification of energy resources. full text