ATHENS – The strategy of Greece’s rapprochement with the Baltic countries is sealed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ visits to Vilnius on Monday and to Tallinn on Tuesday. While in the capitals of Lithuania and Estonia, he prime minister will have meetings with the political and state leadership of the two countries.

The latest developments in Ukraine and the energy crisis ahead of a difficult winter are expected to be the top topics on the agenda during the prime minister’s meetings in the two Baltic countries.

Lithuania is one of the countries that supported the Greek proposal to impose a cap on the price of natural gas and the prime minister is expected to reiterate the need for a European solution to a European problem and for the immediate planning and implementation of what was agreed at the last European Council, which took place on 20-21 October in Brussels.

Furthermore, there is a common understanding between the two countries on the issue of the weaponisation of migration and the need to demonstrate European solidarity in the protection of the EU’s external borders. Lithuania has been faced with the weaponisation of migration flows at its borders.

The prime minister is also expected to provide updates on the latest developments regarding Turkey and its provocative behaviour, which undermines stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, while challenging Greek sovereignty at a critical conjuncture when the entire West has condemned revisionism and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The digital agenda is expected to be at the centre of the prime minister’s meetings in Tallinn, as Estonia has extensive experience in artificial intelligence, digital service provision and cyber security, and has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Greece in July 2021 for the digitisation of public services and the modernisation of public administration.