Lithuania and US agree to curb illicit radioactive materials trade

Lithuania and the United States have agreed to strengthen cooperation to prevent the illegal trade in nuclear and other radioactive materials, LRT reported on Monday, citing the Interior Ministry. Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas and US Ambassador to Lithuania Kara C. McDonald signed a memorandum outlining the agreement.

Katelynas said preventing the illegal trade and smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive materials was important for national and international security. He said prevention helped protect Lithuania, Europe and its allies, and described the United States as one of Lithuania’s most important strategic partners and closest allies.

The ministry said Lithuanian institutions have worked with the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration for many years. Through the partnership, Lithuanian officials received modern equipment to detect radioactive materials, developed their ability to identify and prevent their possible illegal transport, and took part in training and exercises.

Lithuania and the United States will continue to strengthen cooperation on security. Lithuania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027 will include a focus on closer European and US cooperation on shared security challenges.

At the memorandum signing, Katelynas presented McDonald with the Interior Ministry’s first-degree Star of Merit award.