Minister Czaputowicz talked today with foreign ministers of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia about joint initiatives to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, security policy, and cooperation within the EU and in the region.

The foreign ministers of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia met for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic. They discussed concrete steps to be taken soon to effectively recover from the crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. The ministers agreed that one of the responses, apart from national efforts, is an ambitious EU budget and reconstruction fund which will become an important impetus to overcome the crisis and strengthen the EU in the coming years. The Three Seas Initiative can also give an impetus to anti-crisis measures. Minister Czaputowicz thanked the Estonian side for dynamic preparations for the Three Seas summit due to take place in Tallinn in October. The strong commitment of Poland and the Baltic States has consolidated and reinforced the initiative. Other countries, including Estonia and Latvia, declared their willingness to join the IT Investment Fund.

“In times of our fight against the virus, there can be no question of neglecting strong cooperation in the area of security policy,” highlighted the head of Polish diplomacy. The foreign ministers stressed that traditional security challenges remain relevant, and new challenges have appeared, such as intense propaganda and disinformation, also related to Covid-19. Minister Czaputowicz declared Poland’s solidarity in security policy with the Baltic States, our unflinching commitment to the Baltic Air Policing mission, and Poland’s military presence at the Latvian military base in Ādaži.

During a bilateral meeting, Minister Jacek Czaputowicz and Urmas Reinslau discussed the planned celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Poland and Estonia, the security situation in the region, and cooperation within Baltic formats. The ministers expressed their hope to enhance Polish-Estonian economic cooperation, particularly in the light of establishing the Polish-Estonian Chamber of Commerce.

During his visit, Minister Czaputowicz, together with foreign ministers of the Baltic States, took part in an online debate on challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. At the end of the discussions, the ministers adopted a joint statement.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo Tymon Markowski / MSZ