TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 15-618

________________________________________________________________________

DEFENSE

Cooperation

Agreement Between the

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

and LITHUANIA

Effected by Exchange of Notes at

Vilnius June 15 and 18, 2015 
 NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE

 Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)—

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent

evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than

treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and

international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be, 

therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime

jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the

United States, and of the several States, without any further proof

or authentication thereof.”
 LITHUANIA

 Defense: Cooperation

 

Agreement effected by exchange of notes at 

 Vilnius June 15 and 18, 2015; 

 Entered into force June 18, 2015.
No. 221/15 

The Embassy of the United States of America presents its 

compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania 

and has the honor to recall the rights and obligations of the United States of 

America and the Republic of Lithuania in the North Atlantic Tr~ty, done at 

Washington, April 4, 1949; and the Agreement Between the Parties to the 

North Atlantic Treaty Regarding the Status of their Forces, done at London 

June 19, 1951 (hereinafter ''the NATO SOFA"), whereby the forces of one 

Party may be sent, by arrangement, to serve in the territory of another Party. 

The Embassy has the further honor to propose the following Agreement 

between the Government of the United States of America and the 

Government of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter collectively referred to 

as ''the Parties" and individually as "Party") regarding access to and use of 

facilities and areas located within the Republic of Lithuania, for the purposes 

of enhanced defense cooperation; 

DIPLOMATIC NOTE 
"United States forces" shall be defmed as the entity compnsmg 

members of the force and civilian employees of the United States 

Department of Defense, and all property, equipment, and materiel of the 

United States Armed Forces present in the Republic of Lithuania. "United 

States contractors" shall be defined as non-Lithuanian companies and firms, 

and their et;nployees who are not nationals of the Republic of Lithuania, 

under contract or subcontract with or in support of the United States 

Department of Defense present in the Republic of Lithuania. "Members of 

the force" means the "force" as used in Article I of the NATO SOFA. 

Recognizing the mutual benefit of the presence of United States forces 

in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Lithuania shall 

furnish the following agreed facilities and areas;, to which United States 

forces and United States contractors shall have unimpeded access, for 

activities undertaken in connection with tb,is Agreement: 1. Klaipeda 

Training Range; 2. Pabrade Training Range; 3. Rukla Training Range; 4. 

Siauliai Air Base; 5. Mumaiciai; and 6. such other facilities and areas in the 
territory of the Republic of Lithuania as may be provided by the Republic of 

Lithuania in the future as mutually agreed by the Parties. Facilities and 

areas provided by the Republic of Lithuania may be designated either for the 

exclusive use of United States forces or for joint use by United States forces 

and Lithuanian Armed Forces. 

"Unimpeded access" shall include the unrestricted right of United 

States forces, United States contractors, and vehicles; vessels, and aircraft 

operated by or for the United States forces to access and use facilities and 

areas for visits, training, exercises, combined training activities, transit, 

support and related activities, refueling of aircraft, temporary maintenance of 

vehicles, vessels and aircraft, accommodation of personnel, 

communications, prepositioning of equipment, staging and deploying of 

forces and materiel, humanitarian activities, and such other purposes as 

mutually agreed to by the Parties. United States forces shall have freedom 

of movement and access to and use of mutually agreed transportation, 
storage, training, and other facilities required in connection with activities 

under this Agreement. 

in making agreed facilities and areas available, and in the use of such 

facilities and ·areas, the Parties shall . give due regard to operational and 

security concerns. 

United States forces shall be authorized by this Agreement to exercise 

all rights and authorities within those agreed facilities and areas. that are 

provided for the exclusive use of United States forces that are necessary for 

their use, operation, defense, or control, including to take appropriate 

measures to maintain or restore order and to protect United States forces and 

United States contractors. United States forces intend to coordinate such 

measures with the appropriate Lithuanian. authorities_. 

The Republic of Lithuania shall furnish the agreed facilities and areas 

to United States forces without rental or similar costs, including facilities 
and areas joirttly used by United States forces and Lithuanian forces. United 

States forces shall cover all necessary operations and maintenance expenses 

associated with their use of facilities and areas. 

United States forces and United States contractors shall be authorized 

by this Agreement to undertake construction activities on, and make 

alterations and improvements to, agreed facilities and are<lS covered by this 

Agreement. The Republic of Lithuania shall facilitate United States forces' 

efforts in these undertakings by ensuring that such construction, alterations, 

and improvements have the necessary Lithuanian authorizations. United 

States forces shall consult with Lithuanian authorities on issues regarding 

such construction, alterations, and improvements based on the two 

governments' shared intent that the technical requirements and construction 

standards associated with any such projects undertaken by or on behalf of 

United States forces should be consistent with the requirements and 

standards of both Governments. United States forces may carry out 

construction works with its members of the force. 
-6-

United States forces shall be authorized by this Agreement to 

preposition and store defense equipment, supplies, and materiel to and 

within the agreed facilities and areas, and to and within other locations as 

mutually agreed, and the locations where such defense equipment, supplies, 

and materiel are. stored shall be for the exclusive use of United States forces. 

The United States shall retain title to all equipment, materiel, and supplies, 

relocatable structures, and other moveable property that have been imported 

into or acquired within the territory of the Republic of Lithuania in 

connection with this Agreement 

The Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of 

Lithuania shall take all reasonable measures to ensure the protection, safety, 

and security of United States property from seizure or conversion without 

the prior written consent of the Government of the United States of America. 

United States forces may contract for any materiel, supplies, 

equipment, and services (including construction) to be furnished or 
undertaken in the Republic of Lithuania without restriction as to choice of 

contractor, supplier, or person who provides such materiel, supplies, 

equipment, or services. Such contracts shall be solicited, awarded, and 

administered in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Government 

of the United States of America. Services, equipment, materials, supplies 

and other property imported into or acquired in the Republic of Lithuania by 

or on behalf of the Government of the United States of America for the 

official use of United States forces and not for resale shall be free of all 

Lithuanian duties, taxes, or similar charges. 

All obligations of United States forces under this Agreement are 

subject to the availability of appropriated fun4s authorized for these 

purposes. 

The Parties may enter into implementing arrangements to carry out 

the provisions of this Agreement. 
Any divergence in views or disputes regarding the interpretation or 

application of this Agreement are to be resolved at the lowest competent 

level. Should those efforts be unsuccessful, such divergences and disputes 

shall be resolved by the Parties through further consultations and shall not be 

referred to any national or international court, tribunal, or other similar body, 

or any third party for settlement. 

This Agreement shall remain ·in force for two (2) years. It may be 

extended by mutmt.l agreement of the Parties or terminated by either Party 

with one ( 1) year notice. 

Finally, the Embassy proposes that, if the abovementioned proposal is 

acceptable to the Government of· the Republic of Lithuania, this note, 

together with the Ministry's affirmative reply note, shall constitute an 

agreement between the two Governments, which shall enter into force on the 

date of the Ministry's reply note. 
-- 

The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this 

opportunity to renew to the esteemed Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the 

Republic of Lithuania the assurances of its highest consideration. 

Embassy of the United States ofAmerica 

Vilnius, June 15,2015 
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

OF THE REPU3LIC OF L,iTHL'ANJA 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania presents its compliments to 

the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honor to confirm the receipt of the 

Embassy's note No. 221115 of June 15,2015 whose content is the following. 

Beginning of the quote. The Embassy of the United States of Americ::~ present<; its 

, complimem:s to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and has the h:mor 

to recall the rights and obligations of the United States of America and the Republic of Lith:.1ai1ia 

in the North Atlantic Treaty, done at Washington, April 4, 1949; and the Agreement Behveen 

the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty Regarding the Status of their Forces, done at London 

June 19, 1951 (hereinafter "the NATO SOFA"), whereby the f01 ces of one Party may be sent, by 

arrangement, to serve in the territory of another Party. The Embassy has the further honor to 

propose the following Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and 

the Government ofthe Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter collectively referred to as "the Parties" 

and individually as "Party") regarding access to and use of facilities and areas located within the 

Republic of Lithuania, for the purposes of enhanced defense cooperation: 

"United States forces" shall be defined as the entity comprising members of the for~e 

and civilian employees of the United States Department of Defense, and all property, equipment, 

and materiel of the United States Armed Forces present in the Republic of Lithuania. "United 

States contractors" shall be defined as non-Lithuanian companies and firms, and their employees 

who are not nationals of the Republic of Lithuania, under contract or subcontract with or in 

support of the United States Department of Defense present in the Republic of Lithuania. 

"Members of the force" means the "force" as used in Article I of the NATO SOFA. 

Recognizing the mutual benefit of the presence of United States forces in the territory of 

the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Lithuania shall furnish the following agreed facilities 

and areas, to which United States forces and United States contractors shall have unimpeded 

access, for activities :;ndertaken 11 connection with this Agreement: 1. Klaipeda Training Range; 

2. Pabradc Training Ran:~c: 3. Rukla Training Range; 4. Siauliai Air Base; 5. MumaiCiai; and 6. 
2 

such other facilities and areas in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania as may be provided by 

the Republic of Lithuania in the future as mutually agreed by the Parties. Facilities and areas 

provided by the Republic of Lithuania may be designated either for the exclusive use of United 

States forces or for joint use by United States forces and Lithuanian Armed Forces. 

"Unimpeded access" shall include the unrestricted right of United States forces, United 

States contractors, and vehicles, vessels, and aircraft operated by or for the United States forces 

to access and use facilities and areas for visits, training, exercises, combined training activities, 

transit, support and related activities, refueling of aircraft, temporary maintenance of vehicles, 

vessels and aircraft, accommodation of personnel, communications, prepositioning of 

equipment, staging and deploying of forces and materiel, humanitarian activities, and such other 

purposes as mutually agreed to by the Parties. United States forces shall have freedom of 

movement and access to and use of mutually agreed transportation, storage, training, and other 

facilities required in connection with activities under this Agreement. 

In making agreed facilities and areas available, and in the use of such facilities and areas, 

the Parties shall give due regard to operational and security concerns. 

United States forces shall be authorized by this Agreement to exercise all rights and 

authorities within those agreed facilities and areas that are provided for the exclusive use of 

United States forces that are necessary for their use, operation, defense, or control, including to 

take appropriate tneasures to maintain or restore order and to protect United States forces and 

United States contractors. United States forces intend to coordinate such measures with the 

appropriate Lithuanian authorities. 

The Republic of Lithuania shall furnish the agreed facilities and areas to United States 

forces without rental or similar costs, including facilities and areas jointly used by United States 

forces and Lithuanian forces. United States forces shall cover all necessary operations and 

maintenance expenses associated with their use of facilities and areas. 

United States forces and United States contractors shall be authorized by this Agreement 

to undertake construction activities on, and make alterations and improvements to, agreed 

facilities and areas covered by this Agreement. The Republic of Lithuania shall facilitate United 

States forces' efforts in these undertakings by ensuring that such construction, alterations, and 

improvements have the necessary Lithuanian authorizations. United States forces shall consult 

with Lithuanian authorities on issues regarding such construction, alterations, and improvements 

based on the two governrnents' shared intent that the technical requirements and construction 

standards associated with any such projects undertaken by or on behalf of United States forces 
3 

should be consistent with the requirements and standards of both Governments. United States 

forces may carry out construction works with its members of the force. 

United States forces shall be authorized by this Agreement to preposition and store 

defense equipment, supplies, and materiel to and within the agreed facilities and areas, and to 

and \vithin other locations as mutually agreed, and the locations where such defense equipment, 

supplies, and materiel are stored shall be for the exclusive use of United States forces. The 

United States shall retain title to all equipment, materiel, and supplies, relocatable structures, and 

other moveable property that have been imported into or acquired within the territory of the 

Republic of Lithuania in connection with this Agreement. 

The Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Lithuania shall 

take all reasonable measures to ensure the protection, safety, and security of United States 

property from seizure or conversion without the prior written consent of the Government of the 

United States of America. 

United States forces may contract for any materiel, supplies, equipment, and services 

(including construction) to be furnished or undertaken in the Republic of Lithuania without 

restriction as to choice of contractor, supplier, or person who provides such materiel, supplies, 

equipment, or services. Such contracts shall be solicited, awarded, and administered in 

accordance with the laws and regulations of the Government of the United States of America. 

Services, equipment, materials, supplies and other property imported into or acquired in the 

Republic of Lithuania by or on behalf of the Government of the United States of America for the 

official use of United States forces and not for resale shall be free of all Lithuanian duties, taxes, 

or similar charges. 

All obligations of United States forces under this Agreement are subject to the 

availability of appropriated funds authorized for these purposes. 

The Parties may enter into implementing arrangements to carry out the provisions of this 

Agreement. 

Any divergence in views or disputes regarding the interpretation or application of this 

Agreement are to be resolved at the lowest competent level. Should those efforts be 

unsuccessful, such divergences and disputes shall be resolved by the Parties through further 

consultations and shall not be referred to any national or international court, tribunal, or other 

similar body, or any third party for settlement. 

This Agreement shall remain in force for two (2) years. It may be extended by mutual 

agreement of the Parties or terminated by either Party with one (1) year notice. 
4 

Finally, the Embassy proposes that. if the abovementioned proposal is acceptable to the 

Government of the Republic of Lithuania, this note, together with the Ministry's affirmative 

reply note, shall constitute an agreement between the two Governments, which shall enter into 

force on the date of the Ministry's reply note. 

The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this opportunity to renew to 

the esteemed Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania the assurances of its 

highest consideration. End of the quote. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania has the honor to inform the 

Embassy of the United States of America that the Government of the Republic of Lithuania 

agrees with the terms of the above transcribed note, which with this present note shall constitute 

the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the 

United States of America regarding access to and use of facilities and areas located within the 

Republic of Lithuania, for the purposes of enhanced defense cooperation. The Ministry of 

Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the 

Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. 

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

Vilnius