“We have a very similar understanding of the threats facing our region. We agree that the key to restoring peace in Europe is to help Ukraine win the war. Our hearts and minds are with Ukraine, and we will continue to do our utmost to help Ukraine survive the winter and support them in succeeding on the battlefield,” President Karis affirmed at the meeting of the three heads of state.
"Russia’s campaign of terror against Ukrainian civilians must end. Our goal must be a just peace,” said the Estonian Head of State. “We will do everything in our power to ensure that the voices of the Baltic states are heard loud and clear in discussions on European security.”
President Karis referred to the common position of the Baltic states in the declaration of the NATO Madrid Summit that “Russia must immediately stop this war and withdraw from Ukraine” and confirmed that this position still holds. “How we described Russia – "the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area” – still holds true. This is the starting point for any discussion on how we engage with Russia in the future,” said President Karis.
The Estonian Head of State also stressed how crucial energy security is for the Baltic states, not only during these winter months, but also in the future. “We are just as interlinked in energy security as we are in regional security, so smooth cooperation and solidarity are key here too,” said President Karis. He emphasised that all three Baltic states will continue their coordinated efforts to ensure the security of our region’s energy infrastructure and prepare for desynchronisation from the Russian electrical grid. “Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are working together to build a resilient energy system, with several projects already underway, and we see potential in offshore wind energy in particular,” said President Karis.
The Estonian Head of State also mentioned the Rail Baltic project, which has the added value of ensuring military mobility, thus allowing NATO troops to be redeployed more quickly in a crisis. “This is why we must continue with this vital regional project”, said the Estonian President.
The Estonian Head of State expressed his gratitude to his Latvian colleague Egils Levits for coordinating the work of the leading state in Baltic cooperation and expressed his pleasure that it would be Estonia’s turn next year.
In the course of the usual rotation, next year Estonia will gain presidency of the Baltic Council of Ministers. Estonia will be taking over this leading role from Latvia according to the Baltic cooperation format. During its presidency term, Estonia will be focusing on regional security, major joint energy and transport projects, tackling climate change and the European Union's Neighbourhood Policy.
