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On 8-9 April 2024 in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, the delegation of the Baltic Assembly participated in the annual Theme Session of the Nordic Council, centred on the critical themes of security, peace, and contingency in the North Atlantic.
During the Theme Session, the Nordic Council unanimously adopted a proposal to strengthen cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries. President of the Nordic Council Bryndís Haraldsdóttir said that nowadays cooperation between the Baltic and Nordic countries has become more important than ever, especially in supporting Ukraine. She said the Baltic States have unique expertise and serve as a bridge between the East and West. "We want to send a signal that our cooperation can only become closer and stronger," said the President of the Nordic Council.
Vice President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns addressed the Nordic colleagues by highlighting that the cruel and unjustified Russian invasion of free and democratic Ukraine is a hard reminder that peace cannot be taken for granted. "Just a week ago, I attended the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva. Colleagues, unfortunately, the call for supporting Ukraine in the European voices was not loud enough. Nothing is over, not even close to that - we have to step up our efforts and be louder not only in words but also in our actions," said Jānis Vucāns.
He reminded the members of the Nordic Council that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is a clear danger to peace and security not only in Ukraine but also in our region and Europe as a whole. "We must hold Russia accountable for its actions as the peace, security and stability of our region depend on the outcome of Russia’s war in Ukraine. We must continue actively voicing and providing support to Ukraine until complete victory."
The agenda of the event was designed to tackle the pressing issues surrounding defence and security collaboration, the maintenance of the North Atlantic and Arctic as areas of low tension, and the enhancement of democracy and peace through strategic partnerships. Furthermore, it explored the potential impacts of Arctic changes and climate shifts on regional security and opportunities. Among the key topics, the session deliberated also on the potential updates of the Helsinki Treaty, focusing on defence cooperation and the status of Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland within the Nordic cooperation framework. Additionally, Nordic collaboration on transport and the exploration of new avenues for cooperation within the sector was addressed.
Vice President Jānis Vucāns and Chair of the Security and Defence Committee Audrius Petrošius represented the Baltic Assembly at the Theme Session, underscoring the importance of Baltic engagement in these discussions.
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© Secretariat of the Baltic Assembly
