Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania make joint appeal to EU High Representative Josep Borrell

  • 2021-01-19
  • LETA/BNS/TBT Staff

TALLINN - The foreign affairs ministers of the Baltic states made a joint appeal to High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell on Monday in relation to the continued arrest of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The ministers thanked Borrell for his swift reaction and expressed their appreciation for the coordination efforts by the European External Action Service to prepare a joint EU statement.

In their joint appeal, the foreign affairs ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania highlighted the need to take additional firm diplomatic measures to increase pressure upon official Russian authorities that would facilitate the release of Navalny. The ministers believe that the issue should be discussed during the Foreign Affairs Council meeting next week, including the possible introduction of further restrictive measures.

If the Russian authorities continue to violate Navalny's right to liberty and security, the Baltic foreign ministers suggest that Borrell should consider postponing his visit to Moscow scheduled for the beginning of February.