"Lithuania and Latvia are close neighbors and friends. We work together on key regional, EU and NATO issues. We make a joint effort to ensure the military security and defense of the Baltic countries and to carry through strategic energy and transport projects. Together we contribute to the EU's efforts to counter the challenges posed by the migration crisis," the President said.
Dalia Grybauskaitė and the Latvian Prime Minister exchanged views on one of the most relevant EU issues – the handling of the migration crisis. Lithuania and Latvia are at the external border of the Schengen area; therefore, the migration route can also emerge in the Baltic States. According to Dalia Grybauskaitė, Lithuania is now enhancing the protection of the EU's external border at the national level; however, this requires close collaboration between all three Baltic countries. It was agreed at the meeting to coordinate cooperation between the ministries of internal affairs and other responsible institutions of Lithuania and Latvia to ensure effective control over the Schengen border.
The meeting discussed preparations for a special European Council meeting and an EU-Turkey summit due on March 7 in Brussels. Lithuania and Latvia share the same position that it would be inconsistent and inappropriate to take on new commitments without implementing the already agreed measures. EU member states must demonstrate political will and implement the already agreed measures for overcoming the migration crisis.
Views were also exchanged on preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Warsaw. Lithuania and Latvia will make a joint effort in Warsaw to seek equal defensibility for all NATO members, a significant increase in allied forces in the Baltic States and a speedier decision-making mechanism. The geopolitical situation still remains very tense – Russia is further destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, undermining international law and continuing the militarization of the border with the EU and NATO; therefore, the Alliance must be very well prepared to counter aggression. The President and the Latvian Prime Minister also considered opportunities to jointly acquire military equipment and other defense systems.
The meeting also addressed energy security issues – the synchronization of Baltic electricity grids with continental Europe and the threat that the Astravyets nuclear power plant, which is being built in Belarus, close to the Lithuanian border, poses to the security of the people of the Baltic countries. A faster implementation of the Rail Baltica project was also touched upon. The President and the Latvian Prime Minister agreed to jointly seek financial support from the EU's new financial framework to implement regional strategic energy and transport projects.
The two countries are bound by strong economic links. Latvia ranks fourth among Lithuania's trade partners in terms of trade volume. Latvia's direct investment in our country amounts to 231.9 million euros. Many Lithuanian companies do business in this neighboring country.
