November 6, 2020.
The information was prepared by the Press Service of the Saeima.
Parliamentarians from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania on Friday, November 6, participating remotely in the 39th digital session of the Baltic Assembly (BA), agreed on priorities for co-operation in 2021, with the first highlighting the promotion of economic and social stability in the Baltic States.
MEPs also identified a strong security and defense community, interconnected energy and transport networks, as well as a secure society and a high quality of life as next year’s BA priorities.
For the cooperation between BA and the Baltic Council of Ministers, parliamentarians focused on regional security, including the Eastern Partnership and transatlantic relations, cooperation in the field of cyber security, connectivity, including in regional energy and transport projects, and digital cooperation, climate change and environmental issues, and cooperation. culture and health.
The resolution adopted at the session stated that with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the solidarity of the Baltic States was subjected to serious tests, which revealed the shortcomings of tripartite cooperation. However, parliamentarians are pleased with the ability of the Baltic States to assess the importance of co-operation, to start timely exchange of information and mutual co-ordination of emergency measures in the region.
“Baltic co-operation is a cornerstone of the solution to the crisis. It is necessary to develop a coordinated plan for overcoming the crisis, as well as post-crisis measures to reduce the negative impact on the economy, security, social affairs and employment in the Baltics,” said Jānis Vucāns.
During the session, the parliamentarians discussed topical issues and co-operation between the Baltic States, the unprecedented risks and challenges related to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as measures to be taken to mitigate the economic, social and health impact of the Covid-19 crisis. The session also discussed issues of security and defense co-operation, the creation of a single energy market, the implementation of the Rail Baltica project and other infrastructure projects, as well as joint educational, research and cultural projects.
Lithuania will take over the presidency of the BA next year, and it is planned that the 40th session of the Baltic Assembly will take place on November 4-5 in Vilnius.
Information about BA:
The Baltic Assembly is a co-operation institution of the parliaments of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, established on November 8, 1991. Each of the Baltic parliaments is represented in the Assembly by 12-16 deputies. The Assembly is a coordinating and consultative body. It has the right to national parliaments, governments and the Baltic Council of Ministers to express their views in the form of resolutions, decisions, declarations and recommendations and to request answers on how current cross-border issues on the BA agenda are addressed.
Additional information:
Saeima Press Service
Phone: 67087281, mobile: 26184007
E-pasts: [email protected]
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