Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis: Dialogue of Baltic states and Germany is instrumental for restoring region's competitiveness [11 Jun 2010]

On 11 June in Tallinn, Estonia, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis, together with his Estonian, Lithuanian and German colleagues took part in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic states and Germany. 

The foreign ministers' discussion focused on regional co-operation issues, including the results of the Council of the Baltic Sea States summit held on 1-2 June in Vilnius and the future of the organisation, as well as its role in the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis noted that the principal objective of regional co-operation should be the renewal of economic competitiveness and the promotion of the region's growth. Minister Ronis emphasized the significance of co-operation in strategic areas, with a particular accent on energy security and progress required in the implementation of energy projects.

The agenda of the Baltic and German foreign ministers also included current matters of international importance. The ministers expressed unanimous support to the UN Security Council's Resolution on sanctions against Iran, and spoke about the need to discuss the sanctions at the European Union's External Relations Council to be held on 14 June in Luxemburg.

The ministers exchanged opinions on the situation in Afghanistan and the upcoming Kabul conference in July, as well as NATO's new Strategic Concept, and topics on the OSCE agenda, including the progress of the Corfu Process.

During the meeting the ministers also discussed the relations of the European Union with Russia, and noted the positive atmosphere of the EU-Russia Summit and the role of economic co-operation in the relations between the European Union and Russia. The foreign ministers of the Baltic states and Germany appreciated the progress achieved in the development of the EU Eastern Partnership Initiative during the year since the time it was launched. Minister Ronis noted that the Eastern Partnership is a vital instrument of political and practical co-operation for promoting democratic reforms in partner countries. Minister Ronis emphasised the significance for the Eastern partner countries of the comprehensive and inclusive co-operation within this initiative.

This was the 12th session of consultations among the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic states and Germany, first held on 28 August 1996 in Leipzig, Germany, on the initiative of the then Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel.