News

On 8-9 February in Helsinki, participants of the meeting of the Nordic Baltic Eight (NB8) political directors of MFAs discussed prospects for regional cooperation, the situation in Belarus and in the Middle East, as well as other current issues of international policy.

At the meeting, Political Director of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eitvydas Bajarūnas presented current issues of Lithuania’s Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and issues related to Belarus following the country’s presidential election.

In Helsinki, representatives from foreign ministries discussed a wise men’s report on regional cooperation that was drafted in August last year, and its recommendations, which provide for specific tools to enhance the Nordic and Baltic cooperation in foreign policy, diplomatic representation, defence, regional awareness-raising and other areas.

Political directors also discussed the EU Eastern Partnership initiative, Afghanistan, the EU Common Security and Defence Policy, NATOs partnerships, Georgia, Russia, cooperation with the U.S.A., and other issues. As mass unrest continues in Egypt, political directors also discussed the issues of the Middle East.

Political directors meet twice a year to discuss the region’s current issues and to prepare for the annual NB8 foreign ministers’ meeting.

This year’s NB8 foreign ministers’ meeting will be held in Helsinki in August, at the same time as the regional conference on the Nordic-Baltic cooperation prospects. This year the NB8 coordinator is Finland, and in the next year Lithuania will assume this role.