VILNIUS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite urged Sweden on Monday to partake in enhanced bilateral cooperation, improved military interaction, and information exchange with Lithuania in order to increase regional security.
"Although Sweden is not a member of NATO, it is strategically important in regional defense, and its participation in deterrence and defense planning is paramount," Grybauskaite was quoted as saying in a statement released by the presidency.
Her comments followed a meeting with Urban Ahlin, Speaker of the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag).
According to the Lithuanian presidency's statement, preparation for the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in Brussels this week was among the main topics discussed during the meeting.
Grybauskaite underscored that a "safe, peaceful, and democratic Eastern neighborhood" was "a common interest of Lithuania and Sweden."
Earlier in September, Sweden organized the military exercise Aurora with troops from Lithuania and other states of the region, as well as the United States.
