Karins calls on Macron to support enforcing NATO presence in Baltic region

  • 2021-12-02
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Latvian President Krisjanis Karina (New Unity) on Wednesday met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss a number of issues, including security situation in the region.

"The security situation in the region has changed. Russia's goal to create instability - we see it in a broader context with Russia's activities by Ukraine's border, manipulation with energy prices, disinformation, the hybrid attacks implemented by the Belarusian regime on the EU eastern border. Our task is to strengthen the EU and NATO. These both organizations are our security cornerstones," said Karins.

The prime minister thanked France for support in the complicated situation with Belarus, especially the French president's personal involvement in negotiations with the countries where the migrants come from, helping to restrict flights and thus, the flow of migrants to Belarus and the EU external border.

The parties also discussed EU migration regulations, agreement that the current regulation does not meet present challenges and needs to be changed.

In relation to the build-up of the Russian forces by the Ukrainian border, the prime minister underscored the necessity for a strong EU and NATO signal that there will be serious consequences to escalation of the situation. The prime minister called on France to support strengthening of NATO presence in the Baltic region.

Both leaders underscored the role of the EU-NATO cooperation.

Karins and Macron also discussed the upcoming French EU presidency. The leaders discussed climate changes, digital transformation, industrial policy and other issues on the EU agenda.