Latvia and Lithuania to continue to jointly tackle security challenges in Baltic region - Murniece

RIGA - Latvia and Lithuania will continue to jointly tackle security challenges in the Baltic region, Defense Minister Inara Murniece (National Alliance) emphasized during a meeting with Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas in Vilnius.

Murniece visited Lithuania on Thursday, March 23, as the Latvian Defense Ministry informed LETA.

During the meeting, the defense ministers discussed regional security challenges and issues on NATO agenda, including both countries' priorities at the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius this summer, as well as support for Ukraine.

Latvia and Lithuania share a similar vision of strengthening NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities in the long term, ensuring protection of the Baltic countries and the all NATO member states.

The two ministers also discussed progress with implementation of the decisions taken at the NATO Madrid summit, especially regarding the expansion of NATO enhanced forward presence in Latvia and Lithuania up to the brigade level.

Latvia and Lithuania share not only common values and the same border, they also have common interests in the Baltic Sea region and pursue a strategic partnership in the European Union and NATO. They continue to deepen their defense cooperation in order to jointly overcome current and future security challenges in the Baltic region.

The officials also discussed the two countries' common priorities at the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius this summer, future international cooperation, as well as support provided so far for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.