Poland, Baltic states agree further cooperation on security amid war

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The foreign ministers of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia signed a joint declaration Tuesday to deepen cooperation on security amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

The ministers met in the Latvian capital, Riga, to discuss topics such as joint action in the EU and NATO, continued support for Ukraine and additional sanctions against Russia.

"Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland share a close vision on the actions necessary to deter and defend against security threats in the region," according to a joint statement.

"We reiterate the high importance of continuing political, military, financial support and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Cooperation within NATO, with an irreplaceable role of the close transatlantic bond, is the cornerstone of our security," it said.

The ministers also held talks on energy security in the region.

"We are all speaking in one voice when it comes to strengthening the Eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance or imposing restrictive measures on Russia by the European Union," Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said at a news conference after the meeting.