On Thursday, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius has met with new Prime Minister of Latvia Māris Kučinskis, on his first visit to Lithuania.
“It is a great honour to be in Lithuania on my first visit. I am convinced that all the three Baltic countries have to work together and cooperate”, said the Prime Minister of Latvia.
The colleagues discussed the bilateral political and economic relations, joint strategic projects in transport and energy, the security situation in the region, as well as the Eastern Neighbourhood and European Union issues, such as migration, Energy Union, etc.
“We appreciate Latvia’s smooth cooperation with Lithuania on its road to the membership of Economic Cooperation and Development Organisation. We hope to continue in the same spirit of close partnership towards the achievement of the goals of mutual relevance”, said the Prime Minister.
Considering the importance of the completed Lithuania’s electricity interconnection projects, the need to continue joint regional integration projects that enhance energy independence of the Baltic countries was pointed out.
According to Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius, synchronization of the Baltic power systems with the continental European networks remains the key priority. The Lithuanian Prime Minister welcomed amendments to the Latvian Law on Energy, ensuring the timely implementation of the European Union’s Third Energy Package in Latvia. This step is of particular importance with a view to creating a common Baltic gas market.
In the meeting, attention has been given once again to the construction of a nuclear power plant in the Astravyets, Belarus, next to the EU’s external border.
The Lithuanian Head of Government has asked for more active support from Latvia as well as closer coordination of actions to ensure that the nuclear plant that is currently under construction in Belarus meets the international environmental and nuclear safety standards. At the same time, deep concern has been expressed regarding Russia’s initiative to build gas pipeline Nord Stream 2.
On the implementation of Rail Baltica project, it has been stressed that it has to serve the common objective: to create an efficient railway network to ensure fast and convenient service between the Baltic countries and the Western Europe.
The Lithuanian and Latvian Prime Ministers have underlined the importance of close cooperation in the field of defence.
“The current situation in the region urges us strengthen military capacities of our countries, so that we could, through our joint efforts, react to any threats to security. We must be united in seeking appropriate decisions both at national and international level”, said Prime Minister Butkevičius.
The Lithuanian and Latvian Prime Ministers have stated the joint position: to fully support Ukraine and to call upon Russia to meet the Minsk agreements.
The Heads of Government have agreed to regularly hold bilateral meetings and to coordinate positions. The Prime Minister of Latvia has offered to hold a bilateral meeting of Cabinets of the two countries in Liepāja. Previously, a similar meeting has been held in Rokiškis.