Prime ministers of Baltic states discuss security and cooperation

Record ID: 76260

  • Title: Prime ministers of Baltic states discuss security and cooperation
  • Date: 9th December 2016
  • Summary: RIGA, LATVIA (DECEMBER 09, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** LATVIAN PRIME MINISTER MARIS KUCINSKIS ARRIVING TO MEET ESTONIAN COUNTERPART VARIOUS OF KUCINSKIS WAITING KUCINSKIS WELCOMING ESTONIAN PRIME MINISTER JURI RATAS, SHAKING HANDS KUCINSKIS AND RATAS SHAKING HANDS DELEGATIONS WALKING UPSTAIRS CAMERAMAN FILMING LITHUANIAN PRIME MINISTER ALGIRDAS BUTKEVICIUS ENTERING, SHAKING HANDS WITH KUCINSKIS KUCINSKIS AND BUTKEVICIUS SHAKING HANDS DELGATIONS WALKING UPSTAIRS DELEGATIONS OF BALTIC COUNTRIES AROUND TABLE, PRIME MINISTERS ENTERING AND TAKING SEATS KUCINSKIS DURING MEETING BUTKEVICIUS AND RATAS DURING MEETING FLAGS OF LATVIA, LITHUANIA AND ESTONIA ON TABLE JOURNALISTS WAITING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE KUCINSKIS, BUTKEVICIUS AND RATAS ENTERING (SOUNDBITE) (Latvian) PRIME MINISTER OF LATVIA, MARIS KUCINSKIS, SAYING: "I want to appreciate what we did this year with regards to the Rail Baltica project implementation. In October an agreement was achieved, which sets the model of project implementation, clearly defining the roles of the partners, responsibilities and tasks. Today we also understood that our three countries think alike when it comes to Rail Baltica's further development, we are ready to put in every effort in order to lead this project to a result." JOURNALISTS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE KUCINSKIS AND BUTKEVICIUS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Estonian) ESTONIAN PRIME MINISTER, JURI RATAS, SAYING: "During this meeting we agreed that the implementation of united energy supply is important for the Baltic countries and it is important to get disconnected from the Russian energy supply network. Together we discussed our common stand on the gas market and I believe that within the European Union the three Baltic countries understand very well what an independent country means, and how difficult were these decades during occupation. It means our common support for Ukraine, it will continue for Ukrainian territorial integrity." RATAS, KUCINSKIS, BUTKEVICIUS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Lithuanian) LITHUANIAN PRIME MINISTER, ALGIRDAS BUTKEVICIUS, SAYING: "I am glad that the cooperation among the Baltic States is intense and we also will stay loyal to our principles and will strengthen the unity of the European Union and transatlantic unity in the future. For the Baltic States it is very important to work, develop a regional and security architecture and seek common solutions in the sphere of air protection, as well as common military issues. In the same way we have to use previous cooperation with regards to cyber security and strategic communication." PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PHOTOS PRIME MINISTERS SHAKING HANDS AND LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 24th December 2016 14:17
  • Keywords: Riga Baltic Council prime ministers EU security transport energy
  • Location: RIGA, LATVIA
  • City: RIGA, LATVIA
  • Country: Latvia
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015C5WKE1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Leaders of the Baltic States met in Riga on Friday (December 9) for a working session of the Baltic Council of Prime Ministers.
    For Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas it was the first visit to Latvia after his official appointment.
    The Baltic Prime Ministers discussed current issues affecting all three countries, among them issues regarding transport and energy infrastructure, security and foreign relations.
    "I want to appreciate what we did this year with regards to the Rail Baltica project implementation. In October an agreement was achieved, which sets the model of project implementation, clearly defining the roles of the partners, responsibilities and tasks. Today we also understood that our three countries think alike when it comes to Rail Baltica's further development, we are ready to put in every effort in order to lead this project to a result," Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis told reporters during the news conference.
    Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas underlined the importance for Baltic countries to stay independent from Russian energy supplies.
    "Together we discussed our common stand on the gas market and I believe that within the European Union the three Baltic countries understand very well what an independent country means, and how difficult were these decades during occupation. It means our common support for Ukraine, it will continue for Ukrainian territorial integrity," he said.
    Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius emphasised the close relationship of the Baltic States, which should help to face regional and security challenges.
    The highest decision making body of the Baltic Council of Ministers is the meeting of government leaders, which takes place at least once a year. This year Latvia is the presiding country. Next year Estonia will lead the Council.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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