According to the Head of the Estonian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly (BA) Urve Tiidus, Estonia takes over the presidency of the Baltic Assembly from Latvia in 2023 with a strong will to continue building up a resilient, secure, reliable, and sustainable Baltic region, which is especially important while there is a war going on in a European country.
“By joining forces, we will also have greater capability and better opportunities to deal with the challenges posed by the invasion, such as the economic and humanitarian crisis, energy security, spreading of disinformation, and security concerns,” said Tiidus ahead of the meeting.
He also pointed out that the war had caused extensive and serious damage to the environment as well as both immediate and long-term consequences to human health, ecosystem, and elsewhere. “This is why the Estonian Presidency also focuses on climate issues and challenges of the social sphere.”
“The years of experience of the Baltic States serve us in advising our international partners and European institutions on how to deal with Russia and its deceptive and aggressive behaviour,” Tiidus added.
The BA Security and Defence Committee and the Economics, Energy and Innovation Committee are meeting for a joint meeting to discuss the economic impact of the aggression against Ukraine. The meeting is chaired by the Chairman of the BA Economics, Energy and Innovation Committee Mihhail Korb.
The discussion on military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and the discussion on Baltic digital cooperation and cyber security will be chaired by the Chairman of the BA Security and Defence Committee Vilja Toomast.
The Baltic Assembly is a consultative cooperation organisation of the parliaments of the three Baltic States, which discusses issues of mutual interest. Its presidency rotates on an annual basis.