During their meeting, the Presidents discussed a broad agenda of bilateral political, economic and cultural relations, as well as cooperation between Lithuania and Estonia within multilateral formats - NATO, EU and Nordic-Baltic cooperation.
As they exchanged views on the security situation in Europe, the two leaders emphasized that a strong transatlantic bond and active participation in NATO activities was the main guarantor of the Baltic States’ security and defense. The Presidents underlined that Lithuania and Estonia were strategic allies facing the same threats from unfriendly states, so it was especially important to work together towards strengthening deterrence and countering security, military, environmental, economic, and climate change challenges.
The meeting's agenda also covered energy security. President Nausėda thanked President Kaljulaid for not allowing electricity produced at the unsafe Ostrovets nuclear power plant to enter the Estonian market. He accentuated that it was necessary to work out specific coordinated technical solutions without delay. “The safety of the Ostrovets nuclear power plant is a priority issue for the whole European Union. I hope that the European Commission will bring foward a set of proposals aimed at effective EU-level deterrence of the inflow of electricity from unsafe power plants - as we agreed at the European Council meeting,” Gitanas Nausėda said.
The Presidents exchanged views on the situation in Eastern Partnership countries - Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia - underscoring the importance of providing them with relevant motivation to strengthen political and economic cooperation ties with the European Union. President Nausėda also highlighted the significance of solidarity in containing the pandemic and the need to offer Eastern Partnership countries access to reliable vaccines. “Donating vaccines - even in small quantities - may have a material impact on their national well-being,” the President said as he invited Estonia to consider this initiative.
The two leaders stressed that the best result in containing the pandemic could be achieved only through coordinated action by the Baltic States and at the EU level. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia are implementing EU energy and transport infrastructure projects of strategic importance - Rail Baltica and the synchronization of electricity grids with continental Europe - therefore their timely delivery and adequate funding is in the interest of all Baltic States. The President of Lithuania urged the neighboring Baltic countries to evaluate the possibility of speeding up the synchronization process.
The leaders exchanged plans on measures to fight climate change with a view to achieving the ambitious EU Green Deal and climate neutrality by 2050.
They agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation at all political levels. This year, Lithuania is coordinating cooperation between the Baltic States, therefore the annual meeting of the Baltic presidents is planned to be held in Lithuania with special focus on directions for enhanced cooperation.
