Lithuania and Latvia to boost air defense cooperation with free radar transfer
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8 days · 5 summary articles
Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson discussed bilateral ties, regional cooperation, and security issues during a phone call on Thursday. The leaders emphasized close ties between Lithuania and Sweden and their successful cooperation within the European Union, NATO, and the Nordic-Baltic Eight formats.
"The Baltic Sea does not divide but connects Lithuania and Sweden. It is a space of shared responsibility and interests, linking our economies, infrastructure and social ties," Sinkevicius said. The conversation also focused on the security of critical infrastructure and support for Ukraine.
In a separate development, Sinkevicius emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with the United States after meeting with US Ambassador to Lithuania Kara McDonald on Wednesday. "For the 21st Government, strengthening ties with the United States is one of the priority tasks on the security and foreign policy agenda," the prime minister said.
During the meeting, Sinkevicius expressed appreciation for the strategic partnership and the contribution of US troops to regional security. More than 1,000 US troops completed their rotation in Lithuania this summer. Lithuania has said it is ready to host up to 1,500 US troops.
Meanwhile, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže discussed defense cooperation, support for Ukraine, and security issues with US and international partners during her visit to Washington. Braže highlighted the special bond between Latvia and the US and their close partnership in the field of defense.
In other news, Lithuania and Latvia will cooperate more closely to strengthen the fight against organized illegal migrant smuggling networks. Latvia will provide Lithuania with SENTINEL radars for NASAMS systems free of charge to strengthen its medium-range air defense systems.
Lithuania's interior minister-designate Martynas Katelynas said on Monday he had not ruled out temporarily restoring border controls with Latvia. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics warned of possible Russian provocations in the region.
Lithuania's foreign minister-designate Kestutis Budrys met United Arab Emirates Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh on Monday to discuss the Middle East and ties.
The Belgian federal government approved a slate of new measures on Saturday morning before the summer break, including an import ban targeting goods from illegally occupied Palestinian territories. Belgium’s decision to enforce a ban on imports from Israeli settlements marks a notable shift in European State Policy.
The European Commission has outlined three potential approaches to regulate trade linked to Israeli settlements: stricter export licensing, the imposition of higher tariffs, and a full or partial import ban.
The Belgian government’s position highlights a widening gap between EU rhetoric on international law and the absence of binding mechanisms to uphold it.
Kaja Kallas acknowledged that “the option that got the most support was banning the trade with the illegal settlements,” while also emphasizing that “we need to have a unified position, and so far we have not been able to have that unified position.”
The increasing emphasis on Human Rights has reshaped the debate over settlement trade within Europe. A growing number of EU member states argue that continuing economic relations with settlements contradicts international legal obligations.
This perspective has been reinforced by the 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion, which called on states to avoid economic activities that sustain unlawful territorial situations.
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