Kaunas, 7 September 2022 (TDI): Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, after the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) meeting, stressed the importance of the Nordic-Baltic region’s unity, coordinated efforts, and voice at the international level.
Regarding the two-day meeting in Kaunas, he thanked the NB8 Foreign Ministers for their open and honest conversations.
After the #NB8 meeting today, @GLandsbergis stressed that Nordic-Baltic regional unity, coordinated actions&voice at the intl. level have become as important as never before. Thanks to NB8 FMs for open&frank discussions during the two-day meeting in Kaunas!https://t.co/GNaLcTbb8h pic.twitter.com/GaHjKKlghl
— Lithuania MFA | #StandWithUkraine (@LithuaniaMFA) September 7, 2022
Nordic-Baltic Eight Foreign Ministers meeting
The Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) is an informal regional cooperation arrangement between the five Nordic and three Baltic states including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.
Each year, NB8 countries conduct meetings to coordinate the NB8 activities along with discussions on other issues. This year, Lithuania organized the NB8 collaboration.
The meeting of Foreign Ministers was held on 6 September and covered a variety of important topics for the region.
The topics discussed in the meeting included ways to bolster regional security, support for Ukraine, Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, and energy security in the region.
Moreover, the Foreign Ministers also discussed the effect of global economic challenges on the region’s countries, preparations for the next United Nations General Assembly, the potential for closer cooperation with the Indo-Pacific democracies, and other issues.
Foreign Minister of Lithuania at NB8 meeting
Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis stressed the need for a focused response to the current challenges facing both the Nordic-Baltic region and the rest of the world.
He said that this could only be achieved by maintaining unity and by coordinating positions and actions at both the regional and global levels.
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Landsbergis stated, “In the context of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, we must continue to keep the unity of NB8, the whole of Europe, and the democratic world.”
He stressed providing political, economic, humanitarian, and military support for Ukraine, maintaining pressure on Russia in an effort to end its military aggression against this country.
Further, he emphasized defending democratic principles within international forums. Landsbergis added, that when Sweden and Finland decided to join NATO, the chances for regional cooperation become better.
The cooperation increased particularly in the areas of security and defense. Moreover, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister stated, “After these close Nordic neighbors join NATO, the alliance will become even stronger. In addition, the Nordic-Baltic region will be much safer.
The Baltic Sea will become the internal sea of the defensive alliance. We expect already 32 members to attend the NATO summit in Vilnius next year.”
Furthermore, Landsbergis praised the NB8’s coordinated efforts, visibility, and unified comments at the UN General Assembly, discussions at the Security Council, and collaboration within the Human Rights Council.
Landsbergis said, “By working together, we demonstrate and promote our values and common interests. We are striving to be the region’s leaders in defending democratic principles, strengthening and increasing the visibility of the Nordic-Baltic political brand”.
Lastly, Landsbergis invited colleagues from the Nordic and Baltic republics to the event called ‘Future of Democracy,’ which will be held in Vilnius on November 9 and 10.
