During the conversation with the Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, the President of Latvia noted a common vision of the two countries on strengthening of regional security. The officials agreed that the NATO member states should ensure that defence spending reached 2% of GDP, and both Latvia and Lithuania have committed to achieving this goal in 2018 already.
“We highly appreciate the decisions taken at the Warsaw NATO Summit on the deployment of the allied multinational battalions in the Baltic States and Poland. They are a solid basis for security of the region,” said Raimonds Vējonis.
The President of Latvia stressed the need to preserve the issue of Eastern Partnership high on the agenda of the European Union by promoting the implementation of the decision made at the Riga Summit. According to Raimonds Vējonis, it is essential to provide decision-making on a visa-free regime with Georgia and Ukraine, as well as to complete the ratification process of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
During the meeting, close economic relations between the two countries, a development of the railway project Rail Baltica, and strengthening of the energy market were also discussed. The President of Latvia emphasised that Lithuania was the largest trading partner and one of the largest investors and providers of incoming tourism market for Latvia consistently.
Raimonds Vējonis also noted that the centenary of the three Baltic States was approaching in 2018, which would be a unique opportunity to work together on even greater recognition of the region in the world.