The Baltic states and Japan agree to strengthen cooperation
On 12 October, in Tallinn, Estonia, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Japan held political consultations. The Foreign Vice-Minister of Lithuania Egidijus Meilūnas, the State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andris Pelšs, the Undersecretary for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Kyllike Sillaste-Elling, and the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yuumi Yoshikawa participated in the consultations.
The participants discussed the international community’s response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and other geopolitical issues, including challenges posed by China.
Meilūnas stressed the need to provide all possible support for Ukraine and its reconstruction. The Baltic states also thanked Japan for its decisive response to Russia's aggression and its crucial support for Ukraine. “The Baltic countries and Japan are united by the tradition of a long-term cooperation and a common approach to democracy, human rights and the rules-based order. Only by working together can we mobilize more support for Ukraine that is fighting against Russia's aggression,” Meilūnas said.
The countries agreed to strengthen economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, within international formats, in the areas of development cooperation, security and defence, as well as to develop activities carried out within the framework of the Three Seas Initiative.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Japan.
