Foreign ministers of the Baltic States and Germany discussed security situation in the region
At the traditional 3+1 meeting on 16-17 June in Tallinn, the Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian and German Foreign Ministers Linas Linkevičius, Edgars Rinkēvičs, Urmas Paet and Frank-Walter Steinmeier discussed the situation in Ukraine and security situation in the region, as well as the European Union topical issues.
At a press conference following the meeting, the Foreign Ministers underlined the need to strengthen the EU’s security and defence capabilities and expressed hope that the EU would sign the Association Agreements with Georgia, Moldova, and the remaining parts of the Association Agreement with Ukraine on 27 June, thus ensuring the return of these countries to the European family.
“Lithuania has always supported the efforts of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to complete the signing process of the Association Agreements with the European Union. We wish to reiterate that Ukraine’s further path must be determined by its own free will, without third party interventions and the use of force,” the Lithuanian Foreign Minister said.
According to L.Linkevičius, we cannot allow Ukraine, the country which has embraced the EU’s partnership, to be held hostage by military and economic forces which erode civil society; therefore, it is necessary to stop the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine as soon as possible.
“Together with their counterparts, the Foreign Ministers are concerned about the failed talks between Ukraine and Russia on Ukraine’s gas debt and the new gas prices for Ukraine that put the country into a bad situation. We support the EU’s efforts to resolve this difficult situation,” L.Linkevičius said.
This is already the 16th Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the three Baltic States and Germany. The next year’s meeting will be held in Germany.
During the visit to Estonia, L.Linkevičius also saw the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence that was established in 2008 and receives support of 14 countries, including Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
On June 18, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister visited the Baltic Defence College in Tartu, where he congratulated the graduates on successfully completing officers’ courses this year. At a special ceremony, one hall was named after Hans Haekkerup. H.Haekkerup (1945-2013) was a long time Danish politician and diplomat, former Danish Defence Minister, one of the main supporters of NATO membership of the Baltic States.
