Latvia and Lithuania to maintain common stance on Belarus and in Russia

RIGA - The foreign ministers of Latvia and Lithuania will maintain a common stance on the situation in Belarus and Russia, LETA was told at the Latvian Foreign Ministry.

The ministry informed that Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis was in Latvia on a working visit Friday. This is his first trip to Latvia since taking the office. 

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics' (New Unity) meeting with Landsbergis focused on current issues in bilateral and international relations, and regional cooperation.

The two ministers noted the necessity for Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia to continue mutual coordination, and to be speaking with one voice on the situation in Belarus. They emphasized as well the need for a firm European Union reaction concerning the persecution of Alexei Navalny and his associates, and to the violent crackdowns being made by the authorities on peaceful demonstrations.

Rinkevics and Landsbergis discussed the fight against Covid-19 in their respective countries and underlined that a timely and effective vaccination of the population is a priority both in Latvia and in Lithuania. 

The Ministers reviewed the possibilities of the Baltic states to provide support to the EU’s Eastern Partnership countries in dealing with the Covid-19 crisis. Both ministers expressed hope that the epidemiological situation will improve, allowing to return to the regular active bilateral cooperation agenda.

At the meeting, discussions touched on projects for the development of key transport and energy infrastructure projects in the Baltic region. Rinkevics emphasized that, by working together, the strategic goal of synchronizing the Baltic electrical networks with Europe could be achieved by 2025.

They also talked about the development of cooperation with the new U.S. administration and the future of 17+1, the format for Europe's cooperation with China. 

During his working visit to Latvia, Landsbergis is met also with President Egils Levits and Saeima Speaker Inara Murniece.