EU Foreign Minister Baerbock to reinvestigate security strategies - Discussion with Baltic States
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is set to visit Estonia and Lithuania this week, marking a significant demonstration of Germany's commitment to defending its common alliance territory.
The journey begins in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, where Baerbock is expected on Thursday. This visit holds particular significance as Estonia and Germany share a long-standing historical connection dating back to the 13th century.
In Tallinn, Baerbock will pay a visit to the memorial for the victims of communism in Estonia, commemorating the 75,000 Estonian women and men who were arrested, deported, or killed during the 51-year Soviet occupation.
Political discussions are on the agenda with Estonia's President Gitanas Nausėda, Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets, and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. The talks are expected to cover a range of topics, including the strengthening of Europe's security architecture in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Germany has been leading the Battlegroup of the Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) mission in the city of Rukla, Lithuania, for the past five years. The presence of hundreds of German soldiers in Rukla demonstrates a commitment to defending their common alliance territory.
Following her visit to Estonia, Baerbock will travel to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Here, she will have further political discussions with President Gitanas Nausėda and Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, reiterating Germany's commitment to Lithuania's security.
During her time in Lithuania, Baerbock has also planned an exchange with students of the Tallinn Saksa Gümnaasium, a German partner school. This exchange is a testament to the close relationship between the two nations and their shared values.
Germany plays a central role in strengthening and realigning Europe's security architecture. This includes providing strong financial, diplomatic, humanitarian, and military support to Ukraine, coordinating closely with European and transatlantic partners, and pushing for a new European security framework to ensure long-term stability and deterrence against autocratic threats.
Interestingly, German is the most popular foreign language among Estonian students after English, reflecting the strong cultural ties between the two nations.
Foreign Minister Baerbock is ready to contribute even more to the security of Lithuania, underscoring Germany's unwavering commitment to its allies in the region. The Battlegroup of the EFP, a multinational battalion established at the beginning of 2017 in response to the threat from Russia following the annexation of Crimea and the destabilization of Ukraine, stands as a testament to this commitment.
The visits to Estonia and Lithuania serve as a reminder of the strong bonds between these nations and Germany's role in maintaining peace and security in the region.
