Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal (L), Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina (C) and Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene attend a press conference after their meeting in Riga, Latvia, Dec. 12, 2025. Riga on Friday hosted a meeting of the prime ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, focusing on regional security and joint infrastructure projects, marking the end of Latvia's 2025 chairmanship of the Baltic Council of Ministers. (Photo by Edijs Palens/Xinhua)
RIGA, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Riga on Friday hosted a meeting of the prime ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, focusing on regional security and joint infrastructure projects, marking the end of Latvia's 2025 chairmanship of the Baltic Council of Ministers.
The leaders discussed regional security issues, progress on the Rail Baltica railway, and shared interests in negotiations on the European Union's (EU) next multiannual budget. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina said 2025 was challenging but underscored close cooperation.
Silina described Rail Baltica as a shared priority, while Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed the project must be completed by 2030. Lithuania's Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene highlighted the railway's importance for security and economic links.
The three leaders also restated their pledge to spend at least 5 percent of GDP on defense from 2026 and to promote close cooperation on securing external borders. ■
