“Today, Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine poses a threat to the Baltic states, to our entire region and to Europe. Ukraine is not only fighting for its freedom and sovereignty, but is also defending European values and democratic principles, and the right of each state to self-determination. No state can stand by when aggression, crimes against humanity and the destruction of the international law-based global order is being used against a sovereign country. Ukraine needs greater political, military and economic support from democratic communities, while the perpetrators of the offensive must be subject to maximum sanctions. It is also necessary to support the Ukraine’s aspirations for EU membership," said the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Raimundas Karoblis.
The participants of the meeting agreed on the need to further strengthen the unity of transatlantic partners in confronting Russia's military aggression, and to develop coordinated action by the international community to further increase pressure on Russia and its ally - Belarus. Vice-Minister Karoblis also welcomed the close cooperation among the NB8 countries and the strong position of the region within the UN formats.
Vice-Minister Karoblis presented the challenges faced by Lithuania due to China's diplomatic, political and economic pressure, as Lithuania started to develop economic and cultural ties with Taiwan. In addition, Karoblis called on the NB8 partners to seek opportunities for strengthening cooperation with the countries of the Indo-Pacific region that share democratic values.
The meeting also discussed the implications of the region's long-term dependence on Russia's energy sources and raw materials on its further economic development and security, difficulties faced by businesses due to the disruption of supply chains and alternative supply routes, as well as sustainable energy and innovation, strengthening the internal market.
The Nordic-Baltic Eight is an informal, non-institutionalised format for cooperation between the five Nordic and three Baltic states: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden. The NB8 countries rotate each year to coordinate the NB8 activities and to organise and host that year's meetings. In 2022, the NB8 is coordinated by Lithuania.
