Latvian, Lithuanian, and Estonian parliamentarians agreed on cooperation priorities for 2023 during the 41st Session of the Baltic Assembly (BA), which took place in the Saeima building on 28 October. Safe and resilient Baltic States were defined as the first priority, followed by Baltic cooperation through unity, solidarity and support, as well as sustainable development of the Baltic States.
MPs also adopted a resolution, highlighting the need for Baltic unity in providing support for Ukraine, isolating the Russian Federation from the European community, and tackling common problems and threats stemming from Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion in Ukraine.
The resolution also condemns Russia for its invasion in Ukraine. It calls on Russia to cease its aggression in Ukraine and end the humanitarian crisis, which is a direct result of the violent attacks. The parliamentarians also call on supporting the creation of a recovery plan for Ukraine after Russia’s invasion and insist that the aggressor must compensate for the damages.
MPs strongly support Ukraine and other Eastern Partnership countries in their aspirations towards the European Union and are committed to providing expertise and assistance in achieving this goal.
In the resolution, the BA emphasises strong support for the active role of the European Union in preserving peace, strengthening international security, and reshaping the energy policy in the region.
The Baltic Assembly welcomes the results of the Three Seas Initiative Parliamentary Forum 2022 held in Riga and the successful cooperation between the BA and the Baltic Council of Ministers aimed at strengthening the security and welfare of the region. The parliamentarians also reiterate the need to strengthen and broaden the defence cooperation of the Baltic States internally and with the partners in the Nordic and Benelux countries and emphasise the role of the allies in implementing a deterrence and defence posture in the region.
The resolution also includes recommendations for further cooperation of the parliaments and governments of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, as well as the Baltic Council of Ministers in defence, disaster prevention, preparedness, and response, as well as crisis management and civil protection. It includes recommendations regarding external border control, fostering social resilience, and supporting Ukrainian refugees arriving in the Baltic States. The recommendations also cover economic and digital cooperation, cooperation in developing renewable energy projects, and a common electricity and gas market of the Baltic States. It also includes broad recommendations regarding cooperation in healthcare, education, research and science, as well as culture.
Regional security and defence, energy security, and security of supplies, as well as support for Ukraine were defined as the main cooperation priorities of the BA and the Baltic Council of Ministers for 2023.
Estonia will be the presiding state of the BA in 2023 and will be hosting the next BA session in Tallinn on 23-24 November 2023.
Information about the BA:
Latvia assumed the presidency of the Baltic Assembly on 1 January 2022.
The Baltic Assembly is an inter-parliamentary cooperation organisation of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania established on 8 November 1991. The Baltic Assembly consists of national delegations – 12 to 16 members from each country’s parliament. The Baltic Assembly is a coordinating and consultative organisation. It is a coordinating and consultative organisation which has a right to express its opinion to the national parliaments and governments of the Baltic States, as well as the Baltic Council of Ministers, in the form of resolutions, decisions, declarations and recommendations; it also has a right to request the above-mentioned bodies to provide information on cross-border issues that are high on the Baltic Assembly’s agenda.
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Saeima Press Service