The heads of state placed special focus on common actions to ensure energy, economic, military and information security of the Baltic States.
"New challenges mobilize the Baltic States. The unity we had in our fight for freedom and independence now brings us together for collaborative work. We must work together to ensure the energy future of the region, looking for common solutions to combat the threats of the intensifying information war and resist economic pressure," the President said.
She noted that the search for alternatives to Russian gas and reduction of dependency on a single supplier remain as vital strategic objectives of the Baltic States. It is therefore crucial to speed up implementation of power links with Sweden, Poland and Finland, enhance permeability of the Baltic interconnections and ensure diversified energy supplies.
According to President Dalia Grybauskaitė, Lithuania's Presidency of the Council of the European Union is an opportunity to speed up the implementation of energy projects that are important to all Baltic States. The European Commission has placed on the priority list 15 Baltic projects, including 6 projects from Lithuania. The projects will receive funding under the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020.
The liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to be launched at the end of 2014 in Klaipėda is one of the soonest alternatives to Gazprom gas, according to the President. This terminal could supply gas to Estonia and Latvia as well, if needed.
The presidents of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia exchanged views on the military security in the region. Enhancing NATO visibility in the Baltics, putting collective defence guarantees and plans into practice via concrete NATO exercises - these are most important tasks in the sphere of defence. The three presidents will follow Steadfast Jazz 2013 - NATO's first collective defence exercise in the region.
The meeting also touched upon the ongoing preparations for the Vilnius Summit which, as expected, will open a new chapter in the EU's relationship with Eastern Partnership countries. The summit, scheduled for November, is expected to see the signing of the EU Association Agreement with Ukraine and the initialing of such agreements with Moldova and Georgia. The presidents underlined that the Eastern partners' successful approachment to the EU is a shared strategic interest of the three Baltic countries.
Dalia Grybauskaitė thanked the Estonian and Latvian presidents for their support during this period of particular importance to our country. Lithuania as the EU presiding member state is not only responsible for the decision-making important to all European citizens, but also has to counter economic pressure, cyber attacks, aggressive information campaign and attempts to discredit our state in the international arena.
The presidents of the Baltic States held a meeting with the Finance Minister of the Netherlands and President of the Eurogroup, Joroen Dijsselbloem, to discuss financial situation in the Euro zone and across the EU, as well as the prospects of euro adoption in Latvia and Lithuania.
