"I am delighted at the quality and dynamics of our cooperation. The current economic and geopolitical processes prove the importance of this cooperation, both among our countries, and with our allies", said the Prime Minister at the start of the meeting. He has also thanked Latvia and Estonia for their support to Lithuania's aspiration for the membership of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
In their meeting, the Prime Ministers stressed that the issue of sanctions against Russia has to be very clearly and directly linked to the complete implementation of obligations of the Minsk agreement. The Prime Ministers have emphasized that it is essential to continue all kinds of support to Ukraine and its reforms. It has been agreed that it is imperative to continue to stick to the policy of non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea.
The Prime Ministers have agreed that the Riga Eastern Partnership Summit has to reflect progress in the relations with Eastern partners. It has been noted that it is vital that the EU member states complete the ratification process of the Association Agreements with Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova prior to the Riga Summit. Likewise it is important to achieve tangible agreements with Ukraine and Georgia in the fields of people mobility of citizens and visa liberalisation.
As for the security situation in the region, the importance to continue enforcing the decisions of the NATO summit in Wales was pointed out. The Readiness Action Plan was named as a major deterrent. The Prime Ministers welcomed the results of the implementation of Wales decisions and noted the need to pursue this policy in the future. The establishment of NATO headquarters would be a very important and concrete step in this regard.
The Prime Ministers welcomed the European Council decisions on the need for joint action in the field of strategic communications. The joint and coordinated response to the Russian propaganda is a common interest of the Baltic States.
The meeting noted that under the current geopolitical context the decision to increase the defense budget is a significant contribution to reinforcing the overall security of the Alliance. The Prime Ministers noted that effective use of funds allocated to defense calls for a close cooperation of the Baltic states in this field, including joint procurement of armaments.
The Prime Ministers pointed out, as the continued priority, the synchronization of the Baltic power systems with the continental European system, highlighting the need for a particularly close dialogue with the European Commission and Poland. The Baltic energy ministers maintain close contacts with the Polish counterpart.
Another common priority in the field of energy is the regional gas market. The Polish-Lithuanian gas link project gains a particular importance here.
The Prime Ministers welcomed the timely preparation of the joint application to the European Commission as regards funding of the Rail Baltica project.
