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“Latvia and Lithuania need to continue active cooperation in security and defence, as well as the transport and energy sectors,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, when she met with Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, in Burbiškas, Lithuania on Friday, 26 May.

When discussing regional security Speaker Mūrniece and Speaker Pranckietis noted that both countries are actively working on implementing the NATO Warsaw Summit decisions and will continue to invest in national defence. “We must continue cooperating in the area of strategic communications in order to combat Russia’s information war,” Speaker Mūrniece said, going on to thank Lithuania for the support it has given to the NATO StratCom Centre in Riga.

The Speaker of the Saeima remarked that energy security in our region is of equal importance. Both speakers of parliament expressed strong support for the development of regional natural gas market, as well the synchronisation of the Baltic and European electric grids. The officials agreed that nuclear security is a crucial element of regional energy security.

Speaker Mūrniece and Speaker Pranckietis expressed concern about the Nord Stream II project, stressing that it is not in line with the principles of the Energy Union. The project has a geopolitical purpose and poses a security threat. “Latvia does not support any activities within its territory relating to the implementation of Nord Stream II,” said Speaker Mūrniece.

The speakers of parliament also discussed the Rail Baltica project, highlighting that it will bring socio-economic, as well as security benefits.

Photos from the meeting: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/albums/72157682340857710
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Saeima Press Service