‘We decided today that the Baltic states will jointly lead the development of additional sanctions in the European Union against the Belarusian regime. But we must also continue to identify human smugglers and their business models,’ summarised Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
In addition to close cooperation with EU Member States and institutions, and with our allies outside Europe, it is also very important to engage in dialogue with the countries of origin of the migration, Kallas said. We need to raise awareness that the people trying to illegally enter the European Union from Belarus are victims of an anti-EU attack launched by the Lukashenko regime.
‘Estonia has provided a lot of assistance to Lithuania in this crisis and we will certainly continue to do so. Today, we also discussed further ways to support Lithuania through diplomacy. I confirmed that Estonia, as a member of the UN Security Council, is always ready to take steps to support Lithuania.’ said Kallas.
The Estonian Prime Minister said that the exchange of information and coordination between the Baltic states has been very good so far, and proposed to meet again on the issue, and to hold follow-up meetings at the level of foreign, interior and defence ministers.
On 29 July, the Government of the Republic of Estonia approved the Defence Minister's proposals to support Lithuania. An inter-agency action plan is being drawn up, which will cover activities in the diplomatic and security fields and take into account the possibility of a similar situation arising in Estonia. A 10-member police unit ESTPOL 5 has been operating in Lithuania for a month, the Defence Forces sent unmanned aerial systems to Lithuania, and barrier wire was also provided to help reinforce the border.
Full text of the Joint Statement of the Prime Ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania: https://valitsus.ee/media/4100/download
