From January 15 to 17, 2025, General Guntis Pujāts, the Chief of the State Border Guard, participated in the first event of this year's Baltic Council of Ministers (BCM) – a meeting of the heads of border guard institutions of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, which took place in the Lithuanian city of Neringa.
The main goal of the meeting was to discuss and promote cooperation among the Baltic states in the field of border security, especially considering Latvia's presidency of the Baltic Council of Ministers in 2025. The heads of the border guard institutions of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia discussed priorities that include regional security and resilience, protection of critical infrastructure, as well as cooperation in strengthening the external border, based on a unified approach and common challenges.
The heads of the border guard institutions also emphasized the need to continue coordinated work regarding transatlantic ties, US involvement in regional security, and support for Ukraine, particularly regarding sanctions and the promotion of Euro-Atlantic integration.
The Chief of the State Border Guard also noted that Latvia's presidency priorities include strengthening regional connectivity and energy security, as well as attracting investments, which are crucial not only for the Baltic states but also for the entire Europe.
The meeting of the heads of the border guard institutions of the Baltic states promotes closer cooperation between the Baltic states and allows for the coordination of joint action plans to ensure stability and security in the region, as well as strengthens Latvia's role in strengthening regional security.
During the meeting, the significant role of the EU in strengthening border security was emphasized, providing financial and technical support. EU funding is essential for the Baltic states to effectively protect their external borders and ensure regional security.
