Estonia, Latvia to deepen ties across security, connectivity, digital solutions

TALLINN - The governments of Estonia and Latvia decided at a joint sitting on Wednesday to deepen cooperation in security and crisis preparedness, connectivity and infrastructure, competitiveness, and digital solutions to strengthen the Baltic region.

"Today's joint meeting focused on issues that determine the development of our region. The emphasis was on promoting the economy and enhancing security," Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said.

"We decided to take additional steps to intensify the fight against Russia's shadow fleet, develop Estonian‑Latvian cooperation on strategic reserves, curb cross‑border crime, and also combat African swine fever," he said, adding that the two governments have established a joint action plan for 2026 to promote exports and investment and enhance the appeal of the two countries to skilled professionals.

Together with Latvia, Estonia plans to develop AI‑based tools that better understand Estonian and Latvian languages, values, and needs.

To strengthen security and crisis preparedness, Estonia and Latvia agreed to improve the prevention of cross‑border crime, including drug trafficking, enhance cooperation on strategic reserves, and combine efforts in combating Russia's shadow fleet.

The governments reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

To strengthen strategic communications, the Estonian defense forces will staff the deputy head position of the NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence in Riga starting this fall.

To reduce the risk of African swine fever, hunters in border areas will cooperate more closely to improve wild‑boar monitoring and population control.

On connectivity and infrastructure, both countries confirmed that completing the main Rail Baltic route by 2030 remains a priority. Support will be provided for the Valga-Riga rail connection and for attracting new airlines and routes to Tallinn and Riga airports. Cooperation in energy, including nuclear energy, will also be strengthened.

To boost competitiveness, a joint action plan for promoting exports and investments will be prepared by 2026, and negotiations will continue on launching Baltic Innovation Fund 3, which will bring additional private capital to the region. Cooperation will also be promoted in startups, workforce‑needs forecasting, and reducing EU‑level bureaucracy.

With regard to digital solutions and language development, cooperation will continue on AI and secure e‑services, including AI language models based on Estonian and Latvian languages, culture, and values. Estonia and Latvia will also participate in a regional consortium to establish one of the EU's AI megafactories and AI development centers in the region. Both countries consider it important to build communication networks alongside the Rail Baltic railway line.

Before the meeting, the Estonian and Latvian delegations visited the Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion in Võru, where battalion commander, Lt. Col. Lauri Teppo introduced the soldiers' daily life and military equipment. In Tartu, bilateral meetings between ministers also took place.

In the evening, the prime ministers and foreign ministers participated in the presentation of the Estonia-Latvia Language Award at Tartu Town Hall. The award recognizes translators, linguists, teachers, and language-learning projects that contribute to the promotion of Estonian and Latvian languages.