On 8 December in Vilnius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis and Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Girts Valdis Kristovskis discussed bilateral relations, common issues of energy security policy and promotion of the Nordic-Baltic cooperation.
At the meeting, the Ministers agreed to make joint effort to implement regional energy projects that are important for Lithuania and Latvia, thus ensuring economic security of the countries.
Lithuanian and Latvian Foreign Ministers spoke also about the Wise Men’s report on the so-called Nordic Baltic Eight (NB 8). The report was drafted by experts of the current Danish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, headed by former Minister of Defence of Denmark Søren Gade, experts of Latvia, which chairs the NB8 this year, and former Latvian Foreign Minister Valdis Birkavs.
Ministers A.Ažubalis and G.V.Kristovskis discussed the ongoing implementation of some recommendations of the report, which is expected to continue also in 2011.
Based on the report’s recommendations that are already being implemented and following the agreement of the Ministers, the countries in the region should take up closer cooperation foreign policy in the field of diplomatic activities, and increase the visibility and influence of the region more actively.
Head of Lithuania’s foreign diplomacy stressed the importance of interconnection of Lithuanian and Latvian road infrastructure. According to Minister A.Ažubalis, Lithuania and Latvia have already been part of the Schengen space for three years, but no cross-border roads have been repaired or built yet. The Ministers agreed that the reparation of local roads across the Lithuanian and Latvian state borders would facilitate people-to-people contacts and promote regional development.
The programme of the working visit of G.V.Kristovskis to Lithuania includes meetings with Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) Česlovas Stankevičius and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Emanuelis Zingeris.
URM
10.12.2010