On 17 October 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braže, will welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, who is coming to Latvia on a working visit.
At their meeting, the Ministers intend to discuss bilateral cooperation between Latvia and Lithuania, topics currently on the European Union agenda, and strengthening the security of the external borders. Views will be exchanged on how to continue a targeted and coordinated work on the enforcement of sanctions against Russia in response to its full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. Other topics for discussion will be the situation in the Middle East, security policy developments and the importance of strengthening the transatlantic link in the context of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
In an official ceremony following the meeting, the Ministers will present the annual Balts’ Award bestowed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Lithuania to recognize excellence and achievement in research, fostering and strengthening of the Balts’ heritage. There are five nominees for this year’s award. The Balts’ Award has been presented since 2018, contributing considerably to the research and promotion of Baltic heritage.
The Latvian and Lithuanian Foreign Ministers will then visit the Lithuanian Embassy in Riga to inaugurate, in the capacity of the guests of honour, the renovated embassy premises.
In conclusion of the visit, Baiba Braže and Gabrielius Landsbergis will participate in a prominent North European regional security and foreign policy forum, The Rīga Conference 2024, taking place from 17 to 19 October 2024 at the Latvian National Museum of History in Riga. The focus of this year’s forum is on hot topics such as the future of European security, Ukraine’s victory in the war launched by Russia, the impact of sanctions on Russia’s economy and its internal stability, NATO’s 360-degree strategy and global partnerships, the role and agenda of the United Nations in the geopolitical reality of the moment, and others. See more about The Rīga Conference 2024 at https://rigaconference.lv/.