President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus received the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania John A. Cloud who passed a letter from the U.S. President George W. Bush.

The U.S. President writes in the letter: “As Lithuanian forces complete their mission in Iraq, I express the deep gratitude of the United States to the Government and people of Lithuania for the forces your nation contributed to Multinational Forces-Iraq since June 2003. I express particular gratitude for the infantry contingents deployed to Multinational Division-South East and Multinational Division-Center South.”

According to G. W. Bush, Lithuania's willingness to support the establishment and strengthening of a democratic government in Iraq testifies to the spirit of the people of Lithuania and their commitment to serve the cause of global freedom. “Lithuanians can be proud of their participation in the successful operation to liberate Iraq and subsequent efforts to reduce violence in Iraq.

Our shared experience in Iraq is emblematic of how the partnership between our countries has deepened across a range of global strategic priorities in recent year. I am confident that these ties will continue to strengthen as our governments pursue further cooperation in the service of global security, peace, and freedom,” President Bush writes in the letter.
 
Lithuania's President underlined it has always been, is and will be important for Lithuania to have such a partner as the United States which have greatly helped us on our way to NATO. “I will never forget the words said by President Bush at Vilnius City Hall during his visit to Lithuania in November 2002,” President Adamkus said.
 
“I deeply trust we will have close and warm strategic cooperation with the new U.S. administration, too. Its attention to us, and to our entire region, is particularly important and highly appreciated. We have many points of agreement and common endeavours. We are nations with equal love for freedom and democracy,” the President said.
 
President Adamkus noted it was very important and meaningful to work together in pursuit of peace and stability not only in the Eastern Europe but also in such places of the world as Iraq and Afghanistan. “I am very happy that Lithuanian soldiers were highly appreciated by partners in Afghanistan and Iraq. We therefore have to implement further our commitments and continue the important missions in Afghanistan,” President Adamkus underlined.
 
In the meeting, the U.S. Ambassador discussed foreign policy of the new administration and its priorities.