Good transport connections bring countries closer - Estonian parliament speaker to Latvian PM

TALLINN – Estonian parliament speaker Lauri Hussar, who discussed cooperation between the Baltic states with visiting Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina on Wednesday, said that better transport connections will bring Estonia and Latvia even closer to each other.

Hussar highlighted at the meeting that, on the one hand, defense cooperation between Estonia and Latvia is excellent both as neighboring countries with a common history and as NATO allies, and on the other hand, transport connections between the two countries are also being restored, spokespeople for the Riigikogu said.

"I recently expressed my joy over the fact that Latvia has decided to build a new road bridge on the Via Baltica in Salacgriva, which will speed up traffic between Parnu and Riga. Today, we can talk about the next advance, which is a direct train between Tartu and Riga. We must also do our best to ensure that Rail Baltic is completed as planned by 2030 -- it is the project of the century that will connect us with the rest of Europe," Hussar said.

Hussar noted that the relations between Estonia and Latvia are very good in all areas and we serve as role models for each other, for example, Latvia is setting an example for Estonia in the transition to education in the official language.

"For its part, Estonia can confirm that the introduction of gender-neutral marriage was painful at first, but after its introduction, this issue no longer divides society. In this sense, there is forward-looking competition between us, we have many joint plans and we look forward to their implementation," he said.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina took office on Sept. 15 and this visit is her first visit to Estonia.

The meeting was also attended by chairman of the Estonia-Latvia parliamentary group Peeter Tali.