Ratas underlined the importance of joint digital solutions of Estonia and Latvia

NordenBladet —

Today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas met with Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Edvards Smiltēns, who is in Estonia on his first official visit abroad. Strengthening of defence cooperation and digital cooperation was discussed at the meeting.

Ratas said at the meeting that the relations between Estonia and Latvia were excellent, and their cooperation was successful also in the Baltic Assembly, where Estonia would take over the Presidency from Latvia next year. During its Presidency of the BA, Estonia will focus on strengthening the security of the Baltic States and continuing support to Ukraine.

Ratas pointed out that it was important to continue close defence cooperation with Latvia, and also to move on with joint digital solutions, like the introduction of digital prescriptions. “Extending the use of digital prescriptions would allow using prescriptions issued in Estonia to buy medicines from Latvian pharmacies, and vice versa. This would be of help for many people moving between Estonia and Latvia,” he said.

Regional transport connections, including the construction of Rail Baltica, and synchronisation of power grids with Central Europe were also discussed at the meeting.

Ratas and Smiltēns emphasised their continuing support for Ukraine that needs every possible support and assistance to win the war. Ratas pointed out that it was also important to help Ukraine in post-war reconstruction, and Estonia had actively started with this in Zhytomyr Oblast.

Photos of the meeting (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Source: Parliament of Estonia