Baltic States must show solidarity with the people of Georgia in their quest for justice - Rinkevics

RIGA - The Baltic States should express solidarity with the people of Georgia in their efforts to achieve justice and the restoration of Georgia's European Union (EU) perspective, underlined Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, who paid a working visit to Klaipada, Lithuania, on Friday.

Presidential adviser Martins Dregeris told LETA that during the annual meeting of the Baltic presidents, the sides discussed regional security issues, future support to Ukraine, the situation in Georgia, transatlantic relations and Baltic cooperation in formats such as the Baltic Council of Ministers, the Three Seas Initiative, infrastructure and energy projects.

Addressing the meeting, the President of Latvia emphasized that the Baltic States had taken important decisions to increase energy security by reducing dependence on Russian energy resources. Rinkevics welcomed the fact that the Baltic States' efforts to synchronize with Europe are on schedule, thus both decisions are a fundamental contribution to strengthening regional energy security and competitiveness.

On regional security, Rinkevics noted that Russia will remain the most serious and immediate threat to Euro-Atlantic security for the foreseeable future. Therefore, the key work at the moment is the readiness of NATO forces and capabilities and the need for NATO's European allies to move together towards a defense investment of 2.5 percent of GDP and above, which all three Baltic States have already done so far.

"I am convinced that the United States will continue to be a strategic partner and a cornerstone of transatlantic cooperation and NATO," the President of Latvia stressed, adding that at the same time everyone must work towards a strong defense sector and shorter supply chains across the NATO Alliance.

During the meeting, Rinkevics reiterated that Ukraine is the first line of defense and needs the support of all NATO members. He said that no discussion on the future of Ukraine should be permitted without Ukraine.