40th Session of the Baltic Assembly and 27th Baltic Council

Parliamentarians, ministers and experts meet to discuss cooperation in reopening the region, energy security and addressing the border challenges

On 4-5 November 2021 in Vilnius (Lithuania), parliamentarians and governmental representatives of the Baltic states met for the 40^th Session of the Baltic Assembly and the 27^th Baltic Council to discuss current affairs and cooperation of the Baltic states in such areas as reopening the region and joint measures to mitigate the impact of the crisis, the role of international cooperation, energy security, the security challenges near the external borders of the EU and more.

President of the Baltic Assembly Andrius Kupčinskas said that the Baltic state cooperation was put to a test, and that 2021 showed that even in difficult and stressful times the Baltic cooperation remains strong. Andrius Kupčinskas introduced to the results of the Lithuanian presidency in 2021 and noted that the Baltic Assembly continued its work in full amount but digitally, and reached some excellent results: “In the beginning of 2020 we saw the shock and lack of focus on the issues not related to COVID-19. But in the second half of 2020 and 2021, many initiatives reached the level of implementation.”

The participants of the Session were later introduced to the programme for Latvia’s Presidency of the Baltic Assembly for 2022. The motto of the Latvian Presidency in the Baltic Assembly will be “Partnership. Prosperity. Protection.” The Latvian Presidency will focus on an open dialogue between the Baltic states to address various challenges, seeking to ensure economic and social recovery of the region. Vice President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns stated: “We are determined to continue our joint work, overcoming the challenges of recovery in our countries from the effects of the pandemic, and promoting sustainable growth, the resilience of society to unexpected shocks, as well as prosperity in the Baltic region and across Europe.”

The Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers sign a joint statement

Alongside the Session of the Baltic Assembly, the 27^th Baltic Council, a cooperation platform for parliaments and governments, was held. Members of the Baltic Assembly jointly with representatives of the Baltic Council of Ministers evaluated the implementation of the joint priorities of 2021 and defined new objectives for cooperation for 2022.

During the Baltic Council, President of the Baltic Assembly Andrius Kupčinskas said that the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers work closely together, coordinate their actions and promote common initiatives. He also emphasized that this mode of cooperation must continue and strengthen also in the future. Andrius Kupčinskas thanked the ministers of foreign affairs of the Baltic states - Gabrielius Landsbergis, Edgars Rinkēvičs and Eva-Maria Liimets – and called for even closer cooperation in the future.