At the meeting, the Head of State pointed out that the unity of the Baltic States is tested by history and is therefore irreplaceable in today’s environment of geopolitical tensions. According to Gitanas Nausėda, the friendship between Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia is a strength and a value that always helps to overcome the most difficult challenges.
The President stressed that the security situation in our neighborhood and in Europe has become ever more complicated in recent years, and that it is therefore crucial to continue to strengthen the defense capabilities of the Baltic region and the entire eastern flank of NATO, ensuring robust deterrence and forward defense. According to the Head of State, the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July are a major step forward in strengthening the security of the Baltic region, but it is necessary to work intensively with NATO allies to ensure their effective implementation.
“Ensuring the viability of defense plans, strengthening Baltic air defense, and increasing the presence of allies in the region have to be priorities for Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia in the coming year. Sound deterrence is the best defense,” President Gitanas Nausėda added.
The Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian leaders also discussed infrastructure projects in the region. Gitanas Nausėda stressed the importance of synchronizing electricity grids with Continental Europe. According to the President of Lithuania, the disconnection of the Baltic States’ electricity grids from Russia will ensure energy security and eliminate risks to electricity supply, and it is therefore essential to work towards completing the synchronization process by the agreed deadline of February 2025. Gitanas Nausėda also highlighted the need to improve transport links and stressed that the implementation of the Rail Baltica project has to be accelerated.
The Baltic leaders also discussed the forthcoming European Council meeting, which will take decisions on further integration of Ukraine and Moldova into the EU. The Lithuanian leader said that this decision will be of geopolitical significance and will determine what Europe will look like in the future.
