The Baltic Assembly sums up Lithuania’s presidency

NordenBladet —

Today, the Estonian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly (BA) participates in the 40th Session of the Baltic Assembly and the 27th Baltic Council, where an overview of the achievements of Lithuania’s presidency is presented and the Resolution of the Session will be adopted. At the end of the session, Lithuania will pass the presidency on to Latvia, and the new President of the BA will be elected.

Head of the Estonian Delegation to the BA Aadu Must said that the Lithuanian presidency took place during complicated times when, besides the coronavirus problem that was already demanding lots of attention and work, it became necessary to face a hybrid attack overnight. “First Lithuania, and shortly afterwards Latvia as well became victims of an attack by Lukashenka’s regime, when their borders were literally flooded with people who had arrived from third countries at the connivance of the Belarusian authorities. We understand the effort dealing with it all has required from our neighbours, and it is all the more gratifying to note that Lithuania has not cut any corners in its presidency of the Baltic Assembly, and the work of the Committees and the Presidium has proceeded as planned. I would like to express great gratitude and recognition to Lithuania and to the President of the BA Andrius Kupčinskas,” Must said.

Deputy Head of the Estonian BA delegation Sven Sester highlighted energy as one of the important topics of the Assembly’s work. “From the point of view of security and also people’s daily lives, synchronising power networks with Europe and disconnecting them from Russia is becoming increasingly important. This is not easy, and should be done by 2025. Lithuania has done an excellent job in keeping that issue in focus during its presidency of the BA, and our three countries will certainly complete this major joint task without any problems. At today’s meetings, we will also discuss what the electricity trade in the Baltic States will be like after 2025,” Sester said.

President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas will also deliver a speech at the BA Session. He thinks that in complicated times, there is no place for managing on your own. In his opinion, it is time to recall again how we supported each other through difficult times, striving for freedom and ready to do our utmost for a common goal. Ratas said that our common important areas of cooperation were security, the digital transition and environmental protection, as well as fight against hybrid attacks.

At the 40th Session of the BA and the sitting of the 27th Baltic Council, the report of Lithuania’s presidency will be presented, cooperation in reopening the region will be discussed, and energy security and the role of the Baltic States in resolving security issues on the external borders of the EU will be spoken about. The Joint Statement of the Baltic Council will be signed, and the BA Resolution and the Final Document of the 40th Session will be adopted. At the Session, Lithuania will pass the presidency of the BA on to Latvia.

Today’s session of the Baltic Assembly is attended by Deputy Head of the Estonian delegation Sven Sester and members of the delegation Erki Savisaar, Helle-Moonika Helme, Andres Metsoja and Kalvi Kõva.

Source: Parliament of Estonia