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On August 20, President Gitanas Nausėda had a working visit to Estonia which celebrated the day of Restoration of Independence. The President met with the President Kersti Kaljulaid, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas and President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas. During the meetings the main discussions were bilateral political and economic cooperation, security situation in the Baltic region, NATO defense plans as well as EU agenda, including negotiations on the next EU financial perspective.

Speaking with the President Kersti Kaljulaid, the President Gitanas Nausėda drew attention to Lithuania's willingness to reconstruct the regular meetings of the Baltic heads of State. Presidents discussed the main energy security issues, the progress of joint projects and initiatives, especially Baltic countries’ power grid synchronization with the Western Europe and building a common EU natural gas market. The President of Lithuania drew attention to the threat to the security of EU countries of the Ostrovets nuclear power plant, which is being constructed in violation of environmental and nuclear safety standards, and noted that safety-related power plant project problems must be solved at EU level and no compromises should be made.

The President of the Republic of Lithuania congratulated Estonia on becoming a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council 2020-2021 and expressed the readiness of Lithuania to share with Estonia the experience of its membership in the institution. Presidents also marked the importance of states’ relations with Russia and Eastern partnership countries, also countermeasures against hybrid threats, propaganda and misinformation. The leaders agreed that the sanctions against Russia should continue until the Minsk agreements have been implemented. The President Gitanas Nausėda stressed the crucial importance of consolidating international support for Ukraine.

During the festive reception at the Estonian Presidential Kadriorg Palace Rose Garden, the President Gitanas Nausėda congratulated Estonian leaders and people on the Day of Restoration of Independence. In his welcome speech, the President highlighted the special relationship between Lithuania and Estonia, based not only on a common history, but also on the desire for freedom, the spirit of struggle for independence, and the courage of the people to strive for the welfare of their countries. Together with the President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, the Head of State presented the memorial stones to the organizers of the Baltic Way from the barricades of Toompea castle.

During his visit, the President of Lithuania visited Maarjamäe Memorial for the Victims of Communism and laid flowers in tribute to the victims of the totalitarian regime, together with the President of Estonia took part in a Family Day by Tallinn TV tower. The President Gitanas Nausėda also paid a visit at the Embassy of Lithuania and met with the members of Lithuanian Community in Estonia.

Photos by the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania / Justinas Auškelis