On Thursday, 9 January 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braže, will welcome an introductory visit from the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys. Latvia is the second country after Ukraine that Kęstutis Budrys is visiting after taking office on 12 December 2024. The Ministers will have a bilateral meeting and a joint press conference.
The meeting will focus on a continued support to Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s military invasion, as well as the implementation of the most effective sanctions policy in relation to Russia and the co-aggressor, Belarus. The two Ministers intend to exchange views on the situation in Georgia and provision of support to the Georgian society and political forces advocating for democratic processes in the country and a steady pursuit of a strategic European course.
During the visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania is also scheduled to meet 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.
Latvia and Lithuania are linked by close bilateral relations and joint efforts to strengthen security and defence in the Baltic Sea region, where an important role is played by a strong NATO, close transatlantic relations and the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) cooperation, including to ensure the protection of the region’s critical infrastructure.