Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Vilnius: unity and synergy help us stand up to the aggressor, making regional cooperation more important than ever
Today 18 October, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna was in Vilnius, Lithuania, attending the 30th session of the Baltic Council, meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart Gabrielius Landsbergis and visiting local defence industry companies.
The meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis focused on regional security, transatlantic relations, the importance and increasing global role of Nordic-Baltic cooperation, and continued support to Ukraine. Discussing the security situation in Europe, Tsahkna noted that the role of the three Baltic States alone in raising important issues on the global stage far exceeded their geographical size and population. Tsahkna also recognised Landsbergis for his considerable and invaluable work in shaping foreign policy and leading the Baltic Assembly.
Minister Tsahkna gave a speech at the 30th session of the Baltic Council, emphasising that by November this year, Russia’s war in Ukraine will have lasted 1000 days and February will mark three years of war. “We must be aware that Ukraine’s situation is very difficult and for us, this is an existential matter. We are free nations thanks to the validity of international law. Russia’s war against Ukraine constitutes the destruction of the democratic order and international law,” Tsahkna said in his speech. “The current security situation will have an impact on our future generations. We can stand up to the aggressor with unity and synergy, which is why today regional cooperation is more important than ever.”
“The Baltic States can do a lot to fortify themselves and we are on the right track,” Tsahkna said. “The completion of Rail Baltic is crucial and we are making efforts to preserve European Union funding – it is our connection with Europe, and it also has a considerable security dimension for the region.” Tsahkna highlighted the operation of the joint Baltic electricity and gas market that is independent of Russia as an important milestone that should serve as an example to other countries in Europe.
He also visited innovative defence industry companies in Lithuania.
The Baltic Council is a cooperation format of the governments and parliaments of the Baltic States, meeting once a year at the parliament of the rotating chairman state, coinciding with the session of the Baltic Assembly. In 2024, Lithuania is chairing Baltic cooperation, followed by Latvia next year. Lithuania’s priorities deal with regional security, the defence of infrastructure, and support for Ukraine. Latvia’s priorities in 2025 include regional security and resilience, support for Ukraine, regional connections, energy security, and attracting investments to the region.
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