On 20 August, at the Riga Castle, President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Mindaugas Sinkevičius who is in Latvia on his first official visit abroad.
Meeting between the officials focused on defence and security cooperation, fight against hybrid threats, especially pressure from the illegal migration, elements of border protection and regional cooperation.
President Rinkēvičs thanked Lithuania for vital support in enhancing Latvia’s border patrol force border protection capacity, including prevention of illegal border crossing on the Latvian-Belarusian border. President of Latvia underlined that Latvia continues to make active efforts to minimise the pressure from illegal migration. Edgars Rinkēvičs informed Lithuanian prime minister about the operation “Vilkatis” implemented by Latvia, progress with introduction of various technical solutions, counter-mobility measures and long-term capacity strengthening programme for prevention of hybrid warfare. President of Latvia also underlined the necessity to work together to convince allies about the necessity to increase resources for the strengthening of the external border of NATO and the European Union.
Meeting also focused on the priorities of the Lithuanian presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2027. Officials agreed that it is crucial to continue all kinds of support to Ukraine as it fights against Russian aggression, support to Moldova and the need to coordinate the national positions during the discussions on EU’s multiannual financial framework, including funding for strengthening of regional security.
