Paris, 27 June 2023 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, met with his counterparts from France, Estonia, and Lithuania in Paris to discuss long-term practical and political support for Ukraine, as well as preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius on 11 and 12 July.
The meeting focused on various issues related to European security and stability. Minister Rinkēvičs expressed gratitude to France for its involvement in bolstering NATO’s eastern flank and providing assistance to Ukraine. He particularly acknowledged France’s contribution to enhancing security in the Baltic States and the valuable support extended to Ukraine since February 24 last year.
Highlighting the importance of the transatlantic relationship, Rinkēvičs emphasized its role in advancing Europe’s military and technological capabilities, as well as ensuring long-term security and stability on the continent. The Minister underscored the need for Europe to strengthen its defense industry to provide sustained support to Ukraine and enhance its own defense capabilities.
Addressing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Rinkēvičs stressed the necessity for the European Union to be prepared for various scenarios related to Russia’s actions. He mentioned the Baltic States’ vigilant monitoring of potential movement of Russian paramilitary groups toward Belarus and their readiness to respond to any direct or indirect security threats, while expecting support from the EU and NATO if required.
Rinkēvičs also called for the establishment of international legal instruments to hold Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine and the war crimes committed. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius providing Ukraine with a clear roadmap towards full membership in NATO.
During the meeting, Minister Rinkēvičs advocated for the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Paris Olympic Games scheduled for the summer of 2024. He highlighted that Latvia, as a state, and its sports sector shared a unified stance on this matter. Rinkēvičs drew attention to the fact that many Russian and Belarusian athletes were members of the armed forces or power structures directly involved in the military aggression against Ukraine.
The Foreign Ministers also discussed several topics on the European Union’s agenda, including EU enlargement, relations with China, and cooperation with African countries.
These annual political consultations between the Baltic States and France aim to exchange views on bilateral and multilateral cooperation, share experiences, and promote a common perspective on current foreign affairs developments.
