Estonia takes over Baltic Assembly duties from Latvia

The Head of the Estonian delegation to the BA Aadu Must said that traditions and mutual trust have helped the Assembly to make this form of cooperation an extremely efficient means of achieving common goals. “This cooperation has passed the test of history, strengthening our fight to restore our independence and enhancing our coordinated actions, thoughts and development plans. These traditions are still going strong,” Must said.

“I would like to acknowledge the huge work done by the current President Jānis Vucāns who put his whole heart into it. It is a great honour to continue his work,” Must said.

“In today's geopolitical context, Baltic co-operation should remain pragmatic, rational and based on the defense of common interests. Close, concerted action and a united message of the Baltic States are both strategically important and symbolic,” said Vucāns.

MPs adopted a resolution emphasizing the need to strengthen and broaden defense cooperation to face complex security threats, as well as the need to agree on a move away from seasonal clock changes and the introduction of a uniform time system in the Baltic states.

At the sitting of the 38th Baltic Assembly and the 25th Baltic Council on 29 November, the Latvian presidency presented its report, and discussions were held on the Rail Baltica project, development of the energy market, perspectives on hydrogen, and higher education in the Baltic states.

The Baltic Assembly is a consultative cooperation organisation of the parliaments of the three Baltic States that discusses issues of mutual interest. Next year Estonia will take over the BA presidency and the next session will be held on 5 and 6 November 2020 in Tallinn.

In a parallel display of Baltic cooperation, the three Baltic prime ministers issued a joint letter on their shared positions regarding European Union cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy.