EU eastern border states in Vilnius: strong eastern border is important for all of Europe

TALLINN - At the high-level conference "Strengthening Resilience of the EU Eastern Border" held in Vilnius on Friday, ministers from Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland emphasized that securing the European Union's eastern border is a strategic investment in the security of the entire bloc.

The discussions highlighted negative socio-economic, security, and fiscal impacts. It was also stressed that continued and consistent support for Ukraine is a cornerstone of European security and a decisive factor in deterring further aggression.

The conference brought together policymakers, international partners, experts, and financial sector representatives to discuss current threats and opportunities for strengthening European defense financing and strategic cooperation.

In a panel discussion, Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi stressed that security is the foundation of economic stability, for which the border states are currently paying a very high price. "Europe has begun to show understanding that the border states, which stand face to face with evil, carry a greater burden than others. Our economy is being held back, our defense spending is over five percent, but we are Europe's frontline. The countries hosting this conference want greater EU participation in strengthening this frontline and more commitment to European security in general," Ligi stated.

Panel discussions, which also included the Minister of Finance of Ukraine, focused on how to bolster national defense capabilities, security, and societal resilience. Participants also explored which financial and policy measures could enhance European defense capabilities and cooperation.

The participating countries issued a joint statement on strengthening the economic and financial resilience of the eastern border regions. The statement emphasizes the importance of the eastern border states in ensuring European security. It also highlights the need to incorporate necessary measures and sufficient funding for the comprehensive support of these states into all European Union policies and the next EU long-term budget for 2028-2034.

Discussions also covered how to design EU budget funds to more effectively support the security, resilience, and socio-economic development of the eastern border regions. The ministers reiterated that the security of the eastern border is a shared responsibility, and that continued support for Ukraine is an integral part of this effort.