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Roundup: Lithuanian, Latvian PM stress need to work together

Xinhua, March 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

All three Baltic states must work together in order to strengthen their energy independence and defense capabilities, as well as continue to implement common infrastructure projects, Lithuanian and Latvian prime ministers stressed after meeting here on Thursday.

"It is a big honor to pay my first visit to Lithuania; I am sure that three Baltic countries must cooperate and work together," Maris Kucinskis, the newly appointed Latvia's prime minister, said after meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart Algirdas Butkevicius.

The two heads of government discussed bilateral relations, as well as common strategic projects in the area of transport and energy such as building of railways network "Rail Baltica" and synchronisation of Baltic electricity grids with continental Europe.

Butkevicius stressed that all the efforts need to be made in strengthening the joint capabilities of the Baltic states against any threats to their security.

"The current situation in the region encourages us to strengthen our military capacities in order to give a common answer in case of any threat to our security; we must be united," Butkevicius was quoted as saying in a governmental statement.

Kucinskis and Butkevicius paid attention to the issue of nuclear safety due to Astravyets nuclear plant which is being built in Belarus, close to the EU's external Eastern border and only 50 kilometers from Lithuania's capital Vilnius. Latvia's prime minister pledged support to Lithuania in this case, noting that "Latvia would support Lithuania in all formats where this issue is touched upon."

Kucinskis also met with Lithuania's president Dalia Grybauskaite who stressed that Lithuania and Latvia must work together on key regional, EU and NATO issues.

"We make a joint effort to ensure the military security and defence of the Baltic countries and to carry through strategic energy and transport projects," Grybauskaite was quoted as saying in a statement.

Lithuania's president and the Latvian prime minister exchanged views on one of the most relevant EU issues - the handling of the migration crisis. Lithuania and Latvia are at the external border of the Schengen area; therefore, the migration route can also emerge in the Baltic States.

According to Grybauskaite, Lithuania is now enhancing the protection of the EU's external border at the national level; however, this requires close collaboration between all three Baltic countries.

In terms of the European migration crisis, Kucinskis noted that Latvia has homed in two refugees families of six persons so far.

"Their quality integration is in our interests, therefore, the newcomers are being intensely taught Latvian language in the meantime," Kucinskis said during the meeting with the Lithuanian prime minister.

Kucinskis also said that Latvia invited exclusively families with underage children.

"This attitude has not changed," the Latvian prime minister underlined.

According to Lithuanian Presidency, the two countries are bound by strong economic links. Latvia ranks fourth among Lithuania's trade partners in terms of trade volume. Many Lithuanian companies do business in this neighboring country. Endit