Speakers of the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania reaffirm support for Ukraine and underline the importance of cooperation
Today, on the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence, President of the Riigikogu of Estonia Lauri Hussar, Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa and Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania Juozas Olekas issued a Joint Statement in Tallinn, in which they reaffirm their strong support for Ukraine and emphasise the need for active cooperation in pursuing initiatives to strengthen the eastern border, counter disinformation campaigns, and address migratory pressure.
In the Joint Statement, the Speakers reaffirm their support for Ukraine, who will celebrate its 35th Independence Day on 24 August, and reiterate their position on non-recognition of any seizures of Ukraine’s territory carried out by Russia through its war of aggression against Ukraine. “We remain focused on political, economic, financial, and military support for Ukraine and continue to oppose Russia’s war of aggression by maximising the pressure from sanctions and applying new restrictions on its war economy. We encourage finding ways to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine,” the Speakers say in the Joint Statement. According to them, the next Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will be held in Tallinn in January 2027, will be another dedicated support to Ukraine as well as peace, stability and prosperity in Europe.
The Speakers consider it essential to hold Russia to account for its crime of aggression, war crimes and persistent violations of international law. They also highlight the need for close cooperation with like-minded partners in order to counter Russia’s attempts to attain international legitimacy for its war efforts, including by preventing the normalisation of its participation in international sporting and cultural events. The Speakers reaffirm their support for Ukraine’s full accession to the EU, and for its irreversible path to NATO.
“Being mindful of the far-reaching consequences of Russia’s illegal unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression, as well as the hybrid threats directed against Ukraine’s supporters, we will continue to cooperate actively in pursuing initiatives to strengthen the European Union and NATO Eastern borders, counter persistent disinformation campaigns, and address the orchestrated migratory pressure on the EU external border,” the Speakers say.
They welcome the results of the NATO Ankara Summit, which reaffirmed the unity of the Allies and their commitment to collective defence, and emphasise the need for Europe to assume greater responsibility in strengthening its own security and participating in NATO as reliable and capable Allies. “Strong NATO presence, including that of the US forces in the Baltic region, is an essential element of effective and credible deterrence,” the Speakers point out.
According to the Joint Statement, cooperation to reinforce the position of the Baltic States in negotiating the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework will also continue. The Speakers also highlight Lithuania’s presidency of the EU Council, which will begin in January 2027, and priority areas on the European Union agenda: security and defence of the EU and the Euro-Atlantic area, enlargement, competitiveness through innovation, technological advancement, sustainability and economic resilience, internal security and effective management of migration and external borders, social security, and responding to demographic challenges.
The Speakers of the Parliaments of Latvia and Lithuania are in Tallinn to attend the celebrations of the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence.
Joint Statement in Estonian and in English
Photos of the meeting (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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