Estonian president in Riga stresses need to preserve unity of countries that think alike

RIGA/TALLINN - Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid stressed at Thursday's meeting with her Baltic and German colleagues that the more hectic the world is, the more important it is to preserve unity among countries that think alike.

During the meeting in Riga Kaljulaid thanked German President Joachim Gauck, who was on his last foreign visit, for a vigorous promotion of common European values, spokespeople for the Estonian president said.

The meeting between the four heads of state mainly focused on international relations and security issues. "When we and the countries that think alike and share the same values as us have figuratively speaking, drawn down red lines, it is extremely important that we stand together for the red lines to remain in place," Kaljulaid said at the meeting.

During a discussion regarding the future directions of the European Union, Kaljulaid stressed that the union has to focus more on the protection of joint interests and common values. "Migration, security, economy, but also environmental issues -- in these the European Union is definitely more capable. No country in Europe can manage big challenges alone better than together," she said.

Cooperation between the three Baltic countries was also discussed during a trilateral meeting of presidents. The Estonian head of state stressed the need to move forward fast with joint large-scale transport and energy projects.

The three Baltic heads of state thanked German President Joachim Gauck for his contribution to promoting European values. "Germany plays a key role in European politics and for us, it is important that it is a country that thinks like us in nearly all the areas that are important to us. In that Gauck, who is to leave office soon, played a big role," Kaljulaid said.

Kaljulaid also visited the NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence in Riga and the Estonian school in Riga. At the end of the visit, she attended a celebration of the 99th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia.