13 June marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Baltic Council of Ministers (BCM) in 1994 in Tallinn for the purpose of ensuring cooperation between the governments of the Baltic States. Latvia holds the BCM's presidency this year on a rotational basis.
" The Baltic States' unity is not only alive, but it is better than ever before! This year, within the framework of the Latvian Presidency of the Baltic Council of Ministers, we are continuing efforts on the strengthening of security of the region, developing transport and energy infrastructure projects and defending common interests in the European Union," emphasizes Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš.
To enhance regional security, the Baltic States should continue working in a coordinated manner towards full implementation of the decisions of the NATO Brussels Summit. The Baltic States share a common interest in the long-term presence of NATO forces, including US units, in the region, as well as a common understanding of the provision of these forces with the necessary elements of sea and air support.
The prosperity of the region should be facilitated by the development of regional interoperability projects, using existing and future interregional synergies. In this context, particular attention will be paid to energy, transport and digital connectivity projects, thereby contributing to increased cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.
In addition, Latvia continues work of the Lithuanian Presidency on defending the common interests of the Baltic States in the EU because adequate funding is needed for the new challenges and priorities - internal and external security, migration, climate. We must further uphold our traditional lines of defence with regard both to the common agricultural policy and the cohesion policy.
For more information, please see the INFOGRAPHIC by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Zane Ozola Consultant of the Communications Department Phone: 67082902 E-mail: zane.ozola@mk.gov.lv