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President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with the heads of diplomacy of eight Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8). The meeting was attended by foreign ministers from Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland and Sweden, and the Secretary of State from the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The Nordic-Baltic cooperation which started twenty years ago has become a unique phenomenon in Europe. The ability of the eight countries to coordinate their interests and work together towards common goals is what makes Northern Europe a distinctive region. According to the President, in a global world it becomes difficult for small countries to ensure individually effective protection of their people's interests, which triggers the need to search for cooperation forms useful to the entire region.

The President underscored the results of successful Nordic-Baltic dialogue: power links with Sweden and Finland currently under construction, and the functioning regional energy market. Close cooperation of Northern Europe countries in the energy sphere, the Baltic States' joining the Nord Pool are highly significant steps in promoting competition and ensuring the energy independence of Lithuania, she said.

According to Dalia Grybauskaitė, cooperation of the eight countries is rapidly developing in the areas of security and defence, with joint military training being organized. The NB8 states work together in international missions. The Baltics actively participate in Northern Europe's defence formats and military exercises Amber Hope and Baltic Spirit conducted in the region. All the countries cooperate intensely to enhance cyber- and energy security as well as civil safety in the region.

The President noted that NB8's unanimous position concerning financial discipline and responsible economic policy have served to overcome the recession more easier, to ensure more rapid recovery and to prepare better for new challenges of global economy.

The continuity of NB8 cooperation must remain a key priority on Lithuania's foreign policy agenda also after elections to the Seimas, she said.

Three Nordic and three Baltic countries cooperate tightly within the European Union as well. Traditionally, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland, Sweden, Denmark coordinate their positions on the underlying European policy issues before every European Council meeting.

The issues that are most important for the region are also coordinated at annual Nordic Baltic Eight Foreign Ministers' meetings. This year NB8 cooperation is coordinated by Lithuania, therefore the meeting is held in Vilnius.