Baltic Assembly to discuss refugee crisis

TALLINN - The Estonian delegation to the Baltic Assembly (BA) will be in Lithuania on Thursday and Friday to participate in the meetings of the presidium of the assembly, the budget and audit committee and the consultative council, where the refugee crisis on the borders of the Baltic countries arising from foreign policy tensions is discussed among other issues.

The BA presidium will meet Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and current chairman of the Baltic Council of Ministers (BCM) Gabrielius Landsbergis to discuss the cooperation between the BCM and the BA, and the implementation of the recommendations made to the governments. In addition, a statement regarding Belarus will be discussed.

Head of the Estonian delegation to the BA Aadu Must said that, against the background of international discord, tensions had increased significantly in the Baltic region, and the pressure on Lithuania and Latvia was of particular concern.

"The Baltic countries must not submit to the migration pressure caused by Belarus, and in order to manage the crisis on the border, it is necessary to act together and to find workable solutions together," Must said.

Among the scheduled meetings, member of the delegation Andres Metsoja highlighted the consultative council due on Friday, where the chairman of the BA natural resources and environment committee would report on the activities of the committee, and circular economy would be one of the issues under discussion.

"Circular economy is one of the key priorities of Baltic cooperation that helps turn environment problems into economic opportunities. As natural resources are limited, it is important to find a sustainable way to use them that will benefit both the consumer and the business. At the same time, it will be beneficial for the environment and the country as a whole," Metsoja said.

In addition, Lithuania as the current presidency of the BA will report on its activities in the presidium and committees, and Latvia will present its priorities and plans as the next year's presidency.

The Estonian delegation also includes Erki Savisaar and Signe Kivi.

The Baltic Assembly is a consultative cooperation organization of the parliaments of the three Baltic states, which discusses issues of mutual interest. A 12-member delegation of the parliament of Estonia represents Estonia in the assembly.