On a parliamentary level, the Nordic Council is consulting with its partners in the Baltic Assembly and Poland shortly to learn about reactions on the crisis after the Russian annexation of Crimea.
The Nordic politicians learned from the other participants about experiences and ideas about what can be done in a Europe in a new situation. The Baltic and Visegrad parliamentarians have had closer contact to parliamentarians from the Ukraine. It was discussed how parliamentarians might assist in the Ukrainian democratic reforms. Participants of the meeting agreed about the need of practical measures of political support to the Ukraine.
Participants declared their support for Ukraine and expressed the opinion that recent behaviour of the Russian Federation in Ukraine calls for a reaction.
Vice President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns stated that "Baltic parliamentarians have clearly noted that actions of the Russian Federation against Ukraine constitute a serious threat to global security and stability. We should jointly take measures to provide practical economic and political support to Ukraine."
Based on an initiative of Polish parliamentarians, the participants agreed on the need to organize a joint delegation to Ukraine with the aim of discussing formats and tools of closer cooperation.
Participants of the meeting agreed it is important to maintain a dialogue between Nordic, Baltic and Visegrad parliamentarians to exchange information on issues of common interest.
The meeting was hosted by Ms. Karin Åström, MP, Sweden and Mr. Hans Wallmark, MP, Sweden, President and Vice-President of the Nordic Council. Delegation of the Baltic Assembly was composed by Vice Presidents of the Baltic Assembly – Jānis Vucāns (Latvia), Giedrė Purvaneckienė (Lithuania) and members of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly – Rytas Kupčinskas (Lithuania) and Aivar Riisalu (Estonia).
