The visit, at President Karis's invitation, began at Ruhnu Harbor and focuses on cooperation in security, defense, cyber and education.

The visit started Wednesday at Ruhnu Harbor, where President Karis officially welcomed the Latvian head of state; the visit focuses on the two countries' strong cooperation in security, defense, cybersecurity, business, connectivity and education. Karis called the venue "symbolic" – Ruhnu, area around 12 square kilometers and actually closer to the Latvian mainland than the Estonian – stating the "Baltic Sea has never been a border between Estonia and Latvia, but a link connecting us."

The two presidents also held a joint press conference, with discussions covering European security, strengthening NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities, steadfast support for Ukraine, transatlantic relations, and Nordic-Baltic regional cooperation ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara next week.

"Estonia and Latvia are good neighbors, close friends and reliable allies. We are united by shared values, a long history of cooperation and the understanding that we are strongest when we act together. That is how we can keep our people safe and stand up for freedom and democracy," President Karis said ahead of the meeting.

"Our partnership is such a close one that we tend to take it for granted," President Karis said, via a press release. "In fact, it is based on the trust we have built up over the years, the choices we have made together and the knowledge that the best results are achieved when we act as one. Having said that, our cooperation must of course keep up with the times."

"Europe must be prepared to assume greater responsibility for its collective defense, and to bolster its defense capabilities, while maintaining strong transatlantic ties," the Estonian head of state stressed. "It is vital that through its actions, Europe demonstrates its willingness to shoulder more of the onus for its common defence and to strengthen its defensive capabilities. To that end, the 5 percent target for defense spending agreed on at the last summit must be met," he went on, referring to the benchmark NATO defense spend as a percentage of GDP.

The close partnership btw Estonia & Latvia has become a natural part of how we work together. On Ruhnu island, discussions with @edgarsrinkevics focused on strengthening our security, improving connectivity, deepening defence & economic coop., & unwavering support for #Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/kXbh0ZjhHv

— Alar Karis (@AlarKaris) July 1, 2026

Discussions also turned to cooperation between Estonia and Latvia in reinforcing Europe's eastern border, enhancing drone defense capabilities and establishing a Baltic defense line. President Karis pointed out that Estonia had recently sent another border guard team to Latvia to help repel migration attacks. "Taking those steps together strengthens the entire eastern flank of NATO and improves European security," he added. "The EU's next long-term budget must take the needs of its eastern border into greater account than it has done to date."

Continuing his visit to Estonia, on day two Latvia's president will meet Riigikogu Speaker Lauri Hussar (Eesti 200) and Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Reform) in Tallinn. Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, Economics Minister Viktors Valainis and a business delegation of nearly 40 members are accompanying President Rinkēvičs.

The presidents will also open the Latvian-Estonian Business Forum at the newly refurbished National Library of Estonia, focusing on expanding strategic cooperation, and will present the Livonia Award, traditionally awarded to one Estonian and one Latvian company for promoting cross-border economic development and the business environment.

Rinkēvičs will also visit the HK Unicorn Squad office, where founder Taavi Kotka will introduce the educational initiative and its Kuri Kotkas drone program, and will lay a wreath at the War of Independence Victory Column in Freedom Square in Tallinn.

Editor's note: This piece was updated to include comment from President Karis.

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