GALLERY: Latvian President Raimonds Vējonis visits Estonia
Raimonds Vējonis, the new president of Latvia who took the oath of office on Wednesday, traveled to Estonia to meet with the Estonian president and other dignitaries.
Thursday's visit was the first official visit for the new president. Vējonis is no stranger to Estonia's capital, having once studied in the Tallinn University of Technology.
His choice of Estonia as his first destinations is a sign of "close political, security, and economic, as well as of cultural and educational ties," said President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.
The presidents discussed topical issues like the Greek debt crisis, refugees crisis and security situation, as well as bilateral, regional and Transatlantic defense cooperation.
President Vējonis also met with Estonian Parliament Speaker Eiki Nestor and chair of the Estonia-Latvia Parliamentary Group Mailis Reps at Toomapea.
It was noted at the meeting that in addition to ensuring of security and the problems connected with the crisis in Ukraine, the issue of refugees in Europe has also arisen in the focus of attention. It has fed passions in both countries, as have the concerns connected with Greece. "We are in solidarity in solving the refugee problems in Europe. The contribution of our allies to the security of the three Baltic States has been effective. And we can also be responsible partners," Nestor said. The President of Latvia had the same opinion.
During the discussion of the issues connected with the crisis in Ukraine, Russia's tactics of hybrid war and the total propaganda war were also highlighted. Nestor and Vējonis considered it necessary to be on guard also in regard to the evidences of hybrid war targeted against the Baltic States. It was agreed that this requires alertness and counter-measures, and also increasing of defense capability. Regarding the solving of the problems of Ukraine, Nestor and Vējonis were of the opinion that in addition to giving international assistance, it is also important to ensure the implementation of reforms that would help Ukraine to achieve economic growth again.
Editor: M.Oll