Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Legislation, Railways, Transport

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Besides the resolution brings recommendations concerning cooperation in the acceptance and integration of refugees, economic cooperation, Nord Stream 2, and transport and infrastructure, in particular Rail Baltic.

The president of the Baltic Assembly and head of the Estonian delegation, Aadu Must, said he was pleased that in recent years the work of the assembly has been organized based on a model put forward by Estonia, where the focus of cooperation between the parliaments lies on the standing committees in order for the effectiveness of the work of the Baltic Assembly to be bigger, spokespeople for the Estonian parliament said.

Must said that cooperation among the Baltic countries is not necessary, but essential. "When we speak together, our voice is three times louder. When we act together, our actions are three times as powerful," he said, describing the cooperation among the three countries as trustful, committed, and supportive of one another.

Must said that the Baltic countries are working closely together in the economy, politics, social affairs and other domains.

"As recently as a few years ago joint procurement of medicines was considered not possible," Must said. He said that other topics discussed during the meeting included cross-border healthcare, security, and strengthening of external borders.

The speaker of the parliament of Estonia, Eiki Nestor, in his opening remarks at the meeting of the assembly emphasized the importance of ensuring security and engaging in cooperation.

"No matter what future will bring -- the basic values of Baltic cooperation will remain. Similar historic experience and common values and traditions provide a strong basis for cooperation in the true spirit of parliamentarism. For cooperation hardened in crises, which has no alternative," he said.

According to Nestor, the Baltic countries are ready and find it necessary to work closely together also in the fields of safe living environment, sustainable infrastructure and energy policy, innovative system of education and research, and knowledge based economy.

A meeting was held in Tallinn also by the Baltic Council, cooperation body of the governments and the parliaments of the Baltic countries. Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser, chairman of the cooperation council of the Baltic Council of Ministers, said at the meeting of the Baltic Council that it's important to continue cooperation in the field of Eastern Partnership and security.

At the end of the session of the Baltic Assembly a resolution was adopted and a final document signed. Estonia then handed over the presidency of the assembly and the Baltic Council to Lithuania.