On Thursday, 9 January 2025, at the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Lithuania, Baiba Braže and Kęstutis Budrys reaffirmed their commitment to advance the close relations between the two countries and to work hand in hand towards shared goals – further provision of comprehensive long term support to Ukraine, promoting of international assistance to Ukraine, and strengthening their own security, including through facilitation of the connectivity of the Baltic States’ infrastructure and energy independence. This also covers disconnecting their electrical systems from the Russian and Belarusian power grid (BRELL) and synchronization with the continental European grid this coming 9 February. This is also a priority for the Baltic Council of Ministers chaired by Latvia this year.
Latvia is the second country after Ukraine that Kęstutis Budrys is paying a bilateral visit to after assuming office on 12 December 2024. At the press conference, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister congratulated Latvia on the animation “Flow” by the Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis claiming the Best Motion Picture – Animated award at the Golden Globes.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže: “Lithuania is our neighbour and friend, and we will further strengthen close cooperation and support between Latvia and Lithuania, both in bilateral relations and in multilateral formats, which is particularly important in the current geopolitical situation. Ukraine has been, and will remain our shared priority, and we will continue advocating for support to Ukraine through all possible channels and formats – the Baltic States and Nordic countries (NB8), the EU, NATO, and the UN. Ensuring comprehensive assistance and a unified approach at the EU and international level to constraining Russia and stopping its war machinery, including by strengthening sanctions against Russia and its co-aggressor Belarus, are crucial to Ukraine’s victory.”
Baiba Braže also underlined that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further highlighted the need to strengthen the protection and resilience of the Baltic States themselves and the entire region. In the current geopolitical context, NATO and close transatlantic relations play a central role in the security and defence of both the Baltic region and across the Euro-Atlantic space. Over 2024, contribution to defence in both Lithuania and Latvia has already exceeded 3% of their GDP, and in 2025, it will rise to 3.45% of GDP in Latvia and 3.85% in Lithuania respectively. Both the countries are aware of the need to further invest in their defence and strengthen their military industry and capabilities, while also prioritising those matters in the EU system.
Both ministers emphasised the increasing importance of cooperation between the Baltic States and the Nordic countries (NB8), in particular, to strengthen the resilience of the Baltic Sea region to hybrid attacks, including the protection of its critical maritime infrastructure.
The Ministers also stressed the need to strengthen joint NB8 action and coordination on international issues and in international organisations, including joint visits to partner countries and joint NB8 communications, on Georgia and Moldova among others.
As part of his visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania met with the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, and Members of the Saeima comprising the Latvian Delegation of the Baltic Assembly and the Parliamentary Group for promoting cooperation with the Lithuanian Parliament.
Further information
- Cooperation between Latvia and Lithuania (in Latvian)
