Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian parliamentarians and government representatives note with satisfaction the signs of economic stabilisation in the Baltic States and urge consistent strengthening of cooperation of the Baltic States in the area of economy and finance. Such an opinion was voiced in the Joint Statement of the Baltic Council which was officially signed on Friday, 22 October, at the Saeima. 

“Along with positive developments in the global economy, the steep decline of the Baltic economies over the last two years has stopped, the unemployment level has decreased and exports show an upward trend,” says the Joint Statement of the Baltic Council. The Baltic Council congratulates Estonia’s forthcoming accession to the Eurozone, which will provide a good basis for further sustainable economic growth in the Baltic States. 

The Baltic Council encourages the consistent strengthening of cooperation of the Baltic States in the area of economy and finance in order to “develop a stable business environment, to facilitate the development of a knowledge economy and research, and to increase the competitiveness of the region.” 

The Joint Statement of the Baltic Council also emphasises the importance of implementing the Baltic Electricity Market Interconnection Plan and the joint transport infrastructure project Rail Baltica. 

Moreover, the Baltic Council highly values the close cooperation among the Baltic States on defence and security policy issues. The Statement declares that the adoption of NATO’s new Strategic Concept will strengthen the security and unity of the Baltic States and the Alliance. “The Baltic States attest their readiness to continue contributing to NATO’s operation in Afghanistan, which is one of the security policy priorities of the Baltic States,” according to the Statement. The Baltic Council also welcomes NATO’s air policing mission in the Baltic States and regards it as proof of the solidarity of the Alliance and the presence of NATO in the Baltic States. 

At the 16th Baltic Council, reports were delivered by Ērika Zommere, President of the Baltic Assembly, and Aivis Ronis, Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is also fulfilling the duties of the Chairman of the Cooperation Council of the Baltic Council of Ministers. Reports were also presented by Urmas Paet, Estonian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Egidijus Meilūnas, Lithuanian Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs. 

The meeting of the Baltic Council was held as part of the 29th Session of the Baltic Assembly which takes place from 21 to 22 October at the Saeima. The Baltic Council includes parliamentarians of the Baltic States who work in the Baltic Assembly and representatives of the Baltic States’ executive power who work in the Baltic Council of Ministers. 

 

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