President Karis: The Baltic Sea has bound Estonians and Latvians together for centuries

President Alar Karis today met with his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkēvičs on the island of Ruhnu, the first port of call on his state visit to Estonia. “Given the island’s folklore and the history it shares with our southern neighbours, Ruhnu is the perfect place for the Latvian head of state to begin his visit to our country,” President Karis remarked. “The Baltic Sea has bound our two nations together for centuries, fostering the trust and cooperation on which our relations remain based to this day.”

During their meeting, the heads of state discussed European security, preparations for the forthcoming NATO summit, ongoing support for Ukraine, the development of regional partnerships and ways of enhancing cooperation between Estonia and Latvia.

“Our partnership is such a close one that we tend to take it for granted,” President Karis stated. “In fact, it is based on the trust we have built up over the years, the choices we have made together and the knowledge that the best results are achieved when we act as one. Having said that, our cooperation must of course keep up with the times.”

The Estonian head of state expressed his view that the evolving security situation, emerging technologies and economic developments are creating new opportunities, on a daily basis, that Estonia and Latvia could make the most of by working together.

The meeting between Presidents Karis and Rinkēvičs focused on European security and the forthcoming NATO summit in Ankara. “Europe must be prepared to assume greater responsibility for its collective defence, and to bolster its defence capabilities, while maintaining strong transatlantic ties,” the Estonian head of state urged. “It is vital that through its actions, Europe demonstrates its willingness to shoulder more of the onus for its common defence and to strengthen its defensive capabilities. To that end, the 5% target for defence spending agreed on at the last summit must be met.”

Discussions also turned to cooperation between Estonia and Latvia in reinforcing Europe’s eastern border, enhancing drone defence capabilities and establishing a Baltic defence line. President Karis pointed out that Estonia had recently sent another border guard team to Latvia to help repel migration attacks. “Taking those steps together strengthens the entire eastern flank of NATO and improves European security,” he said. “The EU’s next long-term budget must take the needs of its eastern border into greater account than it has done to date.”

The heads of state also talked about Ukraine, with President Karis emphasising that since Russia has not abandoned its objectives, pressure must continue to be exerted on the aggressor and support for Ukraine must remain unwavering. “Russia’s war against Ukraine has altered the very nature of European security,” he said. “We are seeing no signs that Russia has given up on its goals. As such, we must continue to place pressure on the country to end the war, and we must remain resolute in our backing of Ukraine, including its progress towards membership of the EU and NATO. Its accession to both is an investment in the security of Europe as a whole. For that reason, we will continue to support the beleaguered nation politically, militarily, diplomatically and economically.”

Alongside security, the heads of state focused on how relations between Estonia and Latvia could be further enhanced. Their discussions centred on Rail Baltica, better transport links, new energy connections and digital cooperation.

While on Ruhnu, Presidents Karis and Rinkēvičs learnt about the island’s history and community life, meeting with municipal leaders before visiting Ruhnu School, historic churches, the local rescue service and the island’s lighthouse. They also took part in a folk festival on Korsi Farm and planted an oak tree as a symbol of friendship between their two countries.

Tomorrow, the heads of state will be opening an Estonian-Latvian business forum in Tallinn. The event will focus on the defence industry and is set to be attended by a large number of companies from both countries, reflecting the strong interest among entrepreneurs in new opportunities for cooperation between Estonia and Latvia.

Official photos and videos from the state visit (by Raigo Pajula and Ivan Panasjuk) will be published here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/presidendikantselei/