On Thursday, March 3, Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis, during a meeting with the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė in Vilnius, raised issues concerning security, strengthening of the EU's external borders and the need to restrict migratory flows.
When discussing migration issues at the meeting, the two leaders agreed on the need to quickly and effectively implement the already adopted EU decisions. "The management of the European Union's external border and safeguarding of the Schengen area are essential to reduce migratory flows," stressed Māris Kučinskis. "Only effective cooperation among the Member States will make it possible to resolve this situation."
The Prime Minister also shared Latvia's experience of hosting their first asylum-seekers and confirmed that Latvia will implement its commitments; however, "the causes of the migration crisis must be addressed more actively."
As regards relations with Russia, the Head of Government of Latvia believes that "the current two-way dialogue and sanctions policy of the European Union has been adequate, and economic sanctions should be repealed only after the full implementation of the Minsk agreements." Both sides agreed that in this situation it is important to send clear and consistent signals to Russia, and that the European Union should speak with one voice.
Kučinskis and D. Grybauskaitė also discussed the implementation of the Rail Baltica project and agreed that it is essential, especially in light of the geopolitical situation. "This project is the shared strategic interest of all three Baltic countries, and it should be high on the political agenda," acknowledged the two leaders.
Within the framework of the visit, the officials also discussed cooperation between the Baltic and Nordic countries, which is one of the cornerstones of the foreign policy of the Baltic States. "This year Latvia is the leading state in a number of significant regional cooperation formats, which makes 2016 an exceptional year for the Baltic and Nordic countries," said the Prime Minister, admitting that, "one of the central priorities in these formats is the strengthening of security in the region."
From 2-3 March, Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis is paying introductory visits to Estonia and Lithuania. In Estonia, the Prime Minister meets with Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas and President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, while in Lithuania - Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius and President Dalia Grybauskaitė. The Prime Minister will also visit the Kohila Vineer company in Estonia and factory Sakret in Lithuania.
Information prepared by:
Lita Juberte
Press Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers
Phone: 67082919; 28803639
E-mail: lita.juberte@mk.gov.lvv
Andrejs Vaivars
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Phone: +371 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv