President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs paid state visit to the Republic of Lithuania on 15-16 July. While in the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, President Rinkēvičs met with the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Juozas Olekas and the Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius. State visit of Edgars Rinkēvičs also included events at the Vilnius University, Latvian-Lithuanian Business Forum and flower laying ceremony at the Antakalnis Cemetery memorial for Lithuanian independence fighters.
“This is a highly symbolic state visit to Lithuania. This year we mark 35 years since re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Lithuania. We are neighbours, friends and close allies – Latvia and Lithuania work together in almost all areas, especially security and defence, energy, transport and economy,” President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs underlined during the meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart. During the meeting, President Rinkēvičs highlighted the significant role of Lithuania as the main economic partner of Latvia, praising the Latvian-Lithuanian Business Forum hosted by Vilnius. President Rinkēvičs invited the President of the Republic of Lithuania, and the First Lady, to pay a state visit to Latvia. He also invited Gitanas Nauseda and Diana Nausediene to visit Liepāja in 2027 when the city will be designated as the European Capital of Culture.
Meetings with the highest Lithuanian state officials focused on cooperation in the field of defence and security, hybrid threats, especially illegal migration pressures and border protection. President Rinkēvičs underlined that the defence cooperation between Latvia and Lithuania is absolutely indispensable. “Our countries recognise our obligations towards other NATO allies. Our defence spending is already at 5% of the gross-domestic product, or even more. Together we strengthen the external border of the European Union and NATO. Together we build the Baltic Defence Line. Latvia and Lithuania are also host countries to allied forces deployed to our countries,” President of Latva stressed. He thanked the Lithuanian side for close cooperation on the ground between Latvian and Lithuanian border forces, particularly for assisting in detaining of illegal migrants crossing the Latvian-Belarusian border. Edgars Rinkēvičs also pointed out that sufficient European Union (EU) support for the Eastern Flank countries is equally vital. Security of the EU’s external border is the shared responsibility of the whole of EU. “Eastern Flank countries should not be required to deal with this challenge alone,” President Rinkēvičs emphasised.
“Latvia and Lithuania are each other’s closest partners, friends and allies. We have shared history, culture and we belong to the same family of Baltic languages. In recent decades, we are also bound by our accession to NATO. We joined the European Union together. Today’s challenges have changed. But we still work side-by-side. Our main priority right now is national security. It is crucial to ensure that our defence investments also create economic opportunities. We are spending enormous amounts on defence. Money would make little difference if it weren’t for the industrial capacities it mobilises at the local, regional and global level. By strengthening our defence sectors, we contribute to whole NATO’s collective defence capabilities. European Defence Fund projects are a good indication that Latvian and Lithuanian companies can be highly efficient when working together. These partnerships have clearly demonstrated that defence industry can become stronger when supported by both sides. Lithuania’s recent decision to select Patria AMV platforms is yet another close cooperation success story. Critical infrastructure does not end on the state border. It is our common challenge.
Last year we showed the world that together we can take care of our energy independence. We disconnected from the Russian and Belarusian system in 2025 to join the European continental network. We keep investing in main regional assets that boost our energy security. From Inčukalns underground gas storage to Klaipeda liquefied natural gas terminal,” President of Latvia said to the participants of Latvian-Lithuanian Business Forum in Vilnius.
Edgars Rinkēvičs will continue his state visit to Lithuania with several events in Klaipeda on 16 July. Presidents of both countries intend to visit the Klaipeda LNG terminal Independence and take part in the Lithuanian Naval Force demonstration of tactical skills. President of Latvia will also deliver a lecture at the Klaipeda University where he will also be awarded the University’s honorary doctorate (Doctor Honoris Cause) in a special ceremony.
Upon return to Latvia, President Rinkēvičs will stop by the Būtingė Evangelical Lutheran Church to meet with the members of the local congregation and Latvian diaspora.
