Estonia: President of the Riigikogu discussed cooperation opportunities with his Lithuanian counterpart

NordenBladet — The President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas met the Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen via a video bridge today. The two speakers discussed managing the corona virus, bilateral parliamentary cooperation, and cooperation opportunities in the Baltic Sea region. 

Both agreed that the Baltic states shared the same history and the same values. “We are each other’s closest partners,” Põlluaas said. “Working together rather than individually, we can achieve more on the international level as well. For example, when planning visits to our partners.”

Põlluaas highlighted the fully established cooperation between the speakers of Nordic and Baltic parliaments, who will be engaged in the ongoing dialogue on economy, security, as well as environmental protection. “Being in the same region, we share the same challenges in these fields,” Põlluaas said.

Both speakers outlined the COVID-19 situation and the rate of vaccinations in their countries. They also shared their experiences on the organisation of parliamentary work during the corona crisis, and compared remote sitting solutions.

Tomorrow is the 30^th anniversary of the defence of the Vilnius TV Tower after the restoration of Lithuania’s independence. Põlluaas expressed his condolences to the friends and families of those who lost their lives in these events. Lithuania will celebrate that day as a national holiday tomorrow, commemorating the victims and remembering freedom fighters.

Source: Parliament of Estonia